RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – The South Fork and Salt fires surrounding Ruidoso continue to burn thousands of acres overnight and are still not contained at all. While thousands of evacuees await news of whether their homes made it, News 13 was able to see firsthand some of the damage to the popular mountain town.
Parts of Ruidoso are still burning but midtown is still untouched by the flames. “A lot of the damage from this fire has hit the upper canyon and Brady Canyon and Pert Canyon, Ponderosa Heights,” says Kerry Gladden with the Village of Ruidoso. “People that know Ruidoso will know that’s on the west end of town.”
Gladden says Mechem is the village’s main artery going north and south and that’s where most of the damage is.
The South Fork Fire has burned more than 16,000 acres and claimed more than 1,500 structures. Those include homes, businesses, and outbuildings. The Swiss Chalet Hotel was completely burned to the ground and the area is still an active fire zone.
“For people who are wanting to come back to their homes, just know we’re doing everything we can to make that happen. For people who are visitors and tourists here, just give us a little bit and then come back and see us, come back and support Ruidoso,” says Gladden.
There are hundreds of crews on the ground and in the air. Officials say they were focused on attacking the fire from the air on Wednesday, dropping flame retardant and slurry. Rain is beginning to fall in the area and officials are now concerned about flash flooding.
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