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NEW MEXICO (KCBD) – Investigators with the FBI believe some of the devastating wildfires in New Mexico may have been man-made.
The FBI reported a man and a woman were possibly involved in six wildfires earlier this year, including the Salt Wildfire near Ruidoso.
The investigation began in May, focusing on 16 wildfires marked as “suspicious.” Other agencies joined the investigation after the Salt Wildfire grew, burning more than 7,000 acres on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
Resources were redirected to the Salt Wildfire from the South Fork Wildfire. A separate investigation found the South Fork Wildfire was caused by lightning.
The blaze left two people dead and burned over 1,400 structures. The Salt Wildfire started about two hours after the first reports of the South Fork Wildfire.
A Jeep Grand Cherokee and a pair of Vans sneakers have been listed as key evidence in the Salt Wildfire investigation.
Evidence also showed a print from a pair of Vans sneakers, with the unique waffle pattern from the sole. The impression of the sole was seen near two of the fires.
Witnesses told investigators they saw the Jeep driving away from multiple fires in the area. The Jeep was also pulled over by an agent from the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services.
According to the source, the man and woman, who have not yet been identified, were in the vehicle.
The tire tracks from the Jeep and the woman’s Vans sneakers matched the impressions near the fires. The woman reportedly voluntarily gave the FBI her shoes to take in as evidence.
The man reportedly called in a wildfire on May 3, claiming he was a wildland firefighter. He said he had attempted to put it out.
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However, investigators found his change in behavior with the Salt Wildfire suspicious. He reportedly told investigators he had seen the fire from his home but did not attempt to report it.
As of July 22, the fires are still under investigation.