The two wildfires near Ruidoso, New Mexico, continue to wreak havoc, burning thousands of acres and displacing thousands of residents. The fires, which ignited on June 17, have forced about 8,000 people to evacuate and have led to road closures in the Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. According to the Village of Ruidoso, approximately 1,400 structures have been lost to the flames.
The South Fork Fire is currently burning on Mescalero Tribal land, U.S. Forest Service land, and areas surrounding Ruidoso, while the Salt Fire is active on the Mescalero Reservation. The fires have caused significant damage, prompting the FBI to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for starting the fires.
“The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires,” officials from the FBI Albuquerque Division stated in a news release on June 22. This marks the first time law enforcement has suggested that arson could be the cause of the devastating fires.
Residents of Ruidoso are set to return to their homes on Monday, June 24, as containment numbers for both fires increase. However, only local, full-time residents will be permitted to return at this time, and they are advised to bring at least a week’s worth of food and drinking water since grocery stores are not fully operational. Many returning residents will find their homes without electricity, gas, or water.
The containment efforts show varying degrees of success. The South Fork Fire has burned 16,614 acres with 26% containment, while the Salt Fire has scorched 7,652 acres and is only 7% contained. These numbers, provided by the Village of Ruidoso, indicate ongoing challenges for firefighting crews. Over 1,000 personnel are engaged in combating the fires, using hand tools, hoses, and machinery to build firelines and prevent further spread.
Utility outages persist in the affected areas, impacting communication and complicating efforts to reach residents and visitors. Despite rumors, an official update confirmed that the Albertsons Market in Ruidoso has not burned down but remains closed due to evacuation guidelines.
The fires have claimed at least two lives. Authorities found the skeletal remains of one individual in the driver’s seat of a burned vehicle, and another victim was found near the Swiss Chalet Inn, which was destroyed by the fire.
The FBI’s involvement underscores the severity and suspected criminal nature of the situation. “The FBI is assisting our local, state, federal, and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation of the fires near Ruidoso, NM,” officials said. “We are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the cause of these fires.”
Anyone with information about the fires is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. Additionally, people can text “BIAMMU” to 847411, followed by “MESCALERO FIRE + the tip,” or simply text “BIAMMU” with the tip information.
While natural causes like lightning and downed power lines are common sources of wildfires, human activities such as unattended campfires can also spark fires. The FBI’s reward aims to uncover whether human negligence or intentional actions are behind the Ruidoso fires, bringing justice and preventing future tragedies.
The fight against these wildfires continues as firefighters work tirelessly to protect homes, lives, and the environment from further destruction.
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