| South Fork and Salt Fire Update 06/22/24NM Fire Information

Area closures remain in effect as hazards are assessed and addressed

Public information line:575-323-8258 or 575-323-8378

Media Information Line: 575-323-8053

Telephone line hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

E-mail: [email protected]

Acres: South Fork – 16,614; Salt – 7,652

Start date: June 17, 2024

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso, Salt area – 7 miles west of Mescalero, New Mexico

Staff: 1,109

Containment: South Fork – 26%; Salt – 7%

Fuels: mixture of conifers, grasses, pines/junipers

Resources: 23 crews, 94 engines, 14 bulldozers and 18 water tenders. Helicopters and air tankers remain available for bucket and retardant drops if the need arises and conditions permit.

Strong points: Although the rains have helped moderate fire activity, this incident is not over. Hazards exist around the South Fork and Salt fires. Downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines, localized flooding, fire-weakened trees and other environmental hazards continue to pose risks to firefighters and the public. Extra precautions should be taken along roadways as emergency and fire vehicles, engines and equipment continue to travel and work along roadways. Thus, evacuations and road and area closures will remain in effect. These measures will not be lifted until fire conditions have subsided and the hazards have been resolved.

Fire activity: Widespread precipitation led to minimal fire behavior in the area on Friday. Due to these weather conditions, firefighter activity was limited on the South Fork and Salt fires. Conditions are expected to improve Saturday, allowing crews to continue their fire suppression efforts.

On Saturday, South Fork and Salt fire crews will resume building fire lines in difficult terrain, patrolling fire lines and monitoring hot spots near fire lines. Residents should remember that although fire behavior has been reduced to smoldering and creeping fires in heavy, dead fuels with minimal spread, fire can and will continue to actively burn in the South Fork and Salt fires, especially with changing weather conditions. Smoke will persist and hazards remain in the fire zone, including fire-weakened trees along roadways and near critical infrastructure.

In addition to firefighters' efforts continuing to secure the perimeter and respond to hot spots within the fire zone, damage and structural assessments are underway. Teams will be available to respond to any new starts and outbreaks if necessary.

Weather report: On Saturday, humid conditions will decrease with the arrival of a high pressure system, bringing less humidity, warmer temperatures and patchy clouds. The weather conditions for the weekend will be marked by sunny mornings, light winds and scattered thunderstorms in the early afternoon.

Smoke: Light smoke was seen Friday from the South Fork and Salt fires. Smoke production will remain light to moderate on Saturday. More variable wind direction, especially in the morning, can sometimes result in light smoke and moderate air quality in all locations around fires. Additional details are available at

Evacuations: Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for several areas in and near the fire. Evacuation information can be found at www.lincolncountynm.gov and www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire. Contact the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center at 575-258-6900 if you have any questions. Road and trail closures are in effect throughout the fire area. Highways 48 and 70 in Apache Summit are closed; The open evacuation route is Highway 70 to Roswell. State Hwy 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220. US 70 is closed from mm 249 (NM 244 intersection), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mm 258, 2 miles to east of Carrizo (

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued June 20, 2024 for National Forest lands in the Smokey Bear Ranger District. Identified areas, as well as roads and trails within them, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and pass through the fire zone safely. Lincoln National Forest – Alerts and Closures (usda.gov)

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire zone. Visit for more information. Drone flights are also prohibited in this area. If you fly, we may need to ground our air assets.

More information:

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