RUIDOSO, N.M. — Residents of Ruidoso were urgently ordered to evacuate their homes Monday evening as a fast-moving wildfire threatened the southern New Mexico village. With little time to gather belongings, the 7,000 residents had to flee immediately.
“GO NOW: Do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home. Evacuate immediately,” officials warned on the town’s website and social media around 7 p.m. The dire situation escalated rapidly, leaving the community in shock and fear.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham confirmed the evacuation orders remained in effect during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. Find the source at bbc
She announced plans to visit the affected areas within 24 hours and noted that the Bureau of Land Management is investigating the cause of the wildfire with a team of six experts. “It will take time to do that work,” she stated.
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Tragically, one person has been confirmed dead due to the wildfires, as confirmed by the governor’s office. “Details are still very scarce so we are not saying anything more at this time,” said Michael Coleman, the governor’s spokesperson.
The South Fork Fire, which ignited Monday morning, spread rapidly due to extreme heat, strong winds, and abundant dry vegetation. George Ducker of the New Mexico State Forestry Division highlighted the conditions as “a recipe for a fast-moving fire.”
By Tuesday morning, Ruidoso’s usually bustling downtown was deserted, with traffic jams and thick smoke marking the previous night’s chaos. City webcams captured a somber scene of an empty main street, the air still heavy with smoke.