Ruidoso wildfires grow over 25,000 acres, 29 people are missing — Tuesday, June 25

Photo: Jessica Mowad – KTSM viewer

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A spokesperson with the Village of Ruidoso confirmed with KTSM on Tuesday morning, June 25, that 29 people are missing as a result of the wildfires.

The spokesperson says they are expecting an update later Tuesday afternoon.

The South Fork Fire is estimated at 17,556 acres with 54 percent containment. The Salt Fire is estimated at 7,947 with 38 percent containment, the New Mexico Forestry Division said Tuesday.

The Forestry Division says fire activity has reduced across both fires due to persistent scattered storms and growth potential is minimal.

Scattered thunderstorms caused localized flooding again on Monday, June 24, but crews were still able to access areas of the fire and made “good progress on structural assessments and containment operations,” the Forestry Division said.

“Today, crews will focus on constructing direct control lines and mopping up hot spots where needed. Mop-up will continue until full containment is reached, including the removal of hazard trees and securing the fire perimeter. Additionally, crews will assist utility cooperators in gaining access to damaged areas to conduct assessments,” the Forestry Division said Tuesday.

Over 1,000 personnel are currently at the fire sites and are staffed with 12 crews, eight helicopters, 61 engines, nine bulldozers, and 18 water tenders.

El Paso Electric says it will be assisting the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) on Tuesday with power restoration.

PNM says around 1,500 of 10,000 power poles have been destroyed or damaged by the wildfires. An additional 50 miles of power lines have also been damaged or destroyed.

PNM also says it stopped billing and automatic drafting of payments for customers impacted by the wildfires.

Village of Ruidoso full-time residents were allowed back into the village on Monday. However, road barriers were still in place in some areas.

Some full-time residents in Lincoln County were allowed to return to their homes on Saturday night, June 22, while others were allowed to return home on Sunday morning, June 23.

No evacuations are currently in place. However, there will be some areas that are considered “no entry/exclusion zones” that will not be accessible to residents because they are considered crime scenes, according to the Village of Ruidoso's Facebook page.

The Village of Ruidoso confirmed that two people have died as a result of the fires and says that search-and-rescue teams have identified potential fatalities that could add to the number of deaths. These areas will also be secured by officers.

The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office announced this past Saturday that it's offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for starting the fires.

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.

A temporary flight restriction is also in place over the fire area. This prohibits any and all drone use by the public.

Tribal members who have been displaced outside of the Mescalero Apache Reservation can contact the Tribe's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help them get back to the reservation.

Those who are stranded out of town at other evacuation sites can call the EOC at (575) 464-9214 for more details.

For those seeking reunification with friends and loved ones, call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

Residents returning who need food, water, personal hygiene items, or toiletries can click here: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire.

For the latest on road closures, click here and scroll to the “Evacuations” section: