FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for disaster assistance related to the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding to October 19. Workshops in Ruidoso providing home repair tips have been extended through August 24. To date, FEMA has approved over $5.59 million in assistance, and the SBA has approved more than $8.65 million in disaster loans. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more details.

Residents and business owners in Ruidoso are urged to purchase flood insurance due to increased post-wildfire flood risks. NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period, so act now for future coverage. Homeowners and renters’ policies typically don’t cover flood damage, but NFIP policies do. Contact 1-877-336-2627 or visit floodsmart.gov for assistance. Protect your property and stay informed with local resources.

The Village of Ruidoso will host a virtual Community Meeting today at 5:30 PM, offering residents a chance to engage with local officials and ask questions. Join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 817 9524 7672, Passcode: 161214) or watch the live stream of the Village of Ruidoso YouTube channel. Your participation is important as we address community matters, including the ongoing South Fork and Salt Fire situations.

The Village of Ruidoso, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and USDA Forest Service, initiated the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment for the South Fork and Salt Fires. With 24 specialists on board, the team is evaluating post-fire damage, despite cloud cover hindering satellite imagery. Ground assessments and community input are ongoing, with daily updates provided until the assessment is complete.

Following the South Fork and Salt fires, which burned over 25,000 acres, USPS has reopened local post offices in Alto, Hollywood, Ruidoso, and Ruidoso Downs. These locations are now fully operational with specific hours. Delivery services will resume except in burn areas; residents in these areas can pick up their mail with ID verification. This marks a return to normalcy for the community.

Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) & the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), will take part in the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system at approximately 12:20 PM MDT on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

The Village of Ruidoso event planning team created the following traffic management plan for the Ride Ruidoso Spring Thunder benefit event on May 20, 2023, at Wingfield Park, accommodating special considerations for safety and access.