South Fork Fire, Salt Fire Daily Update: June 21, 2024 - Cooler, Wetter Weather
Cooler, Wetter Weather Helps Firefighters; Utility Outages and Flooding Remain Concerns
As the South Fork and Salt fires continue to challenge our community, the recent shift to cooler and wetter weather has provided much-needed relief for firefighters working tirelessly on the ground. However, utility outages persist, and localized flooding remains a threat, adding to the complexities of the situation. This update aims to keep residents and visitors informed about the current status of the fires, the ongoing efforts to combat them, and important safety information. Stay tuned for detailed insights and critical updates on evacuation orders, road closures, and air quality advisories.
Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Public Information Line: 575-323-8258
Media Information Line: 575-323-8053
Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm
Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov
Fire Details:
South Fork Fire:
Acres: 16,349
Location: Ruidoso Area
Personnel: 1,006
Salt Fire:
Acres: 7,652
Location: 7 miles west of Mescalero, NM
Containment: 0%
Fuels: Mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper
Resources Deployed:
Crews: 22
Engines: 87
Dozers: 15
Water Tenders: 16
Aerial Support: Helicopters and air tankers available for bucket and retardant drops as needed.
Highlights:
Utility services, including electricity, water, internet, and phones, remain shut down across the South Fork and Salt fires areas. These outages will continue to impact communications, making it difficult to contact residents and visitors.
Fire Activity:
The South Fork and Salt fires experienced minimal fire behavior on Thursday due to variable precipitation and high humidity. Rainfall ranged from substantial rain and hail (up to 1.62”) to scarce sprinkles and scattered showers. The cooler weather and moderate fire conditions are expected to continue into Friday.
South Fork Fire:
Firefighters continue constructing firelines and using hand tools directly at the fire’s edge.
Hose lines and bulldozers are being used to extinguish smoldering fuels and build firelines.
Mop-up operations are ongoing to prevent the fire from creeping past control lines.
Salt Fire:
Crews are constructing control lines, preparing new lines as needed, and conducting point protection for private property and critical infrastructure.
Ground and air ignitions will be used to burn out fuels between firelines and active fire.
Damage and structure assessments are underway, with additional protection needs being identified.
Weather:
Cooler temperatures, high relative humidity, and light winds are expected on Friday. Thunderstorms may develop, bringing the potential for heavy rain, flash flooding, and debris flows.
Smoke:
Smoke will continue to be observed across both fire areas. Individuals sensitive to smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health’s 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. More information on air quality can be found here.
Evacuations:
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for several areas near both fires. Evacuation information can be found at nmfireinfo.com. Road and trail closures are in effect, including:
Highway 48: Closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220.
Highway 70: Closed from mile marker 249 (intersection with NM 244), 4 miles east of Mescalero, to mile marker 258, 2 miles east of Carrizo.
Closures:
A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. This area is closed to public access to ensure the safety of firefighting personnel and the public. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. More information on TFRs can be found here. Drone flights are prohibited within this area.
More Information:
For more details and updates, visit Inciweb.
Stay safe and informed as we continue to address these fires and the associated challenges.
