Authorities have recovered the remains of two individuals who lost their lives amid the advancing South Fork wildfire near Ruidoso, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the New Mexico State Police on Wednesday.
One of the victims was identified as Patrick Pearson, 60, a musician from Ruidoso. According to his daughter, Hilary Mallak, Pearson tragically died on Monday while attempting to evacuate from the Swiss Chalet Inn, where he had been residing since 2021. The Inn was completely destroyed.
In another incident, State Police officers responded to a burned vehicle on Tuesday morning on Ranier Road south of Alto. The occupant, found in the driver’s seat, remains unidentified due to the skeletal condition of the remains, with no identifiable documents recovered from the vehicle.
Residents of Ruidoso, a community of approximately 8,000 people, were ordered to evacuate on Monday due to the dangerous spread of the South Fork Fire and another nearby blaze known as the Salt Fire.
Pearson, who was awaiting transportation from the inn, found himself stranded as the fire encroached. Mallak expressed the heartbreaking realization that her father, who had recently suffered a leg injury and relied on a walker, likely succumbed to smoke or heat shortly after leaving the hotel.
“He must have realized that no help was coming in time,” Mallak said, recounting the difficult circumstances leading to her father’s tragic end. Pearson’s death was officially communicated to the family by State Police late Tuesday night.
A well-regarded musician, Pearson had a deep connection to Ruidoso, where he regularly performed at venues like Quarters Nightclub and Grill. His sudden passing has left the community mourning, with plans underway by the Office of the Medical Investigator to transport his remains to Albuquerque for further proceedings.
While funeral arrangements are pending, Mallak noted that a GoFundMe page has been established to assist with the costs associated with Pearson’s burial. Reflecting on her father’s life, she shared that Pearson had fallen in love with Ruidoso after performing there years ago, ultimately deciding to make it his home.
“He did a gig there a few years ago and just loved it,” Mallak recalled fondly, emphasizing Pearson’s passion for his music and the local community.
On Wednesday evening, rain fell in the Ruidoso area, causing flood conditions. 200-300 additional firefighters have been deployed to the area to fight the blazes. An update following the rains is expected this morning, while the current containment of the 16,335-acre South Fork Fire and the 7,071-acre Salt Fire remains at zero percent until an official update is given.
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