EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire have reached over 70 percent containment as of Friday morning, June 28, and most exclusion zones have re-opened to residents in the area, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.
The South Fork Fire is estimated at 17,569 acres with 73 percent containment and the Salt Fire is estimated at 7,939 acres with 71 percent containment.
The Forestry Division reminds residents that there are still firefighters, firefighting equipment, utility company workers, and vehicles working in the area as some exclusion zones re-open.
The Forestry Division says that “no entry/exclusion zones” will remain in place in some areas of the village and residents can view an interactive property map to see which areas remain closed.
To access that map, click here: Village of Ruidoso interactive property map.
The Forestry Division says the fires experienced limited activity as storms moved over the area on Thursday, June 27. Several lighting strikes occurred and one caused a fire. However, crews were able to suppress the single fire immediately.
As of Friday, all donations and tribal distribution of donated items to people and families affected by the fires will be at the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center from 8 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.
Evacuation sites on the Mescalero Apache Reservation will be closing operations by Sunday, June 30. These sites include the Mescalero Community Center and the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center.
A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued last week for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, roads, and trails are closed to the public. For more information on this, click here: Lincoln National Forest | Alerts and Closures.
A temporary flight restriction is also in place over the fire area. This prohibits any drone use by the public.
For more information on the fires or other important information, click here: Municipal website of the Village of Ruidoso.
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