Daily Update: Friday, June 29, 2024 - All Zones Now Open to Residents
As of today, significant progress has been made in containing the South Fork and Salt fires, which have collectively burned approximately 25,000 acres. All exclusion zones are now open to residents, but crews remain vigilant, addressing hot spots and conducting crucial suppression repairs. This update provides the latest information on containment efforts, resources, and safety measures as the Village of Ruidoso and surrounding areas work towards recovery.
South Fork and Salt Fire Public Map, June 29, 2024
Contact Information:
Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8 AM - 12 AM)
Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7 AM - 10 PM)
Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8 AM - 8 PM)
Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8 AM - 8 PM)
Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov
Fire Overview:
Acres Burned: South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939
Start Date: June 17, 2024
Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area; Salt – 7 miles west of Mescalero, NM
Personnel: 780
Containment: South Fork – 77%; Salt – 77%
Fuels: Mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper
Resources: 18 crews, 4 helicopters, 31 engines, 4 bulldozers, 10 water tenders
Highlights:
As of today, Saturday, June 29, the South Fork and Salt fires have burned approximately 25,000 acres across private, public, and tribal lands.
Mescalero Apache Reservation:
Evacuation Sites: Now closed.
Donation Distribution: Donations for tribal members in need will be taken at the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ convention center from 9 AM – 4 PM daily.
FEMA Assistance: Located outside the Mescalero Community Center from 8 AM – 6:30 PM, offering general government assistance.
Village of Ruidoso Reentry:
All No Entry/Exclusion zones are now open. Firefighters, utility workers, and vehicles are still traveling through the area, conducting critical work to restore utilities and services. Please be patient and allow them to complete their tasks safely. For more information, contact the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Centers.
Fire Activity:
Clear skies, warmer temperatures, and decreased humidity on Friday created conditions favorable for detecting and extinguishing isolated heat sources. Infrared detection identified ten remaining hot spots, which are a primary focus for firefighters this weekend. Crews will also conduct suppression repair, including chipping operations near Villa Madonna and repairing dozer lines where needed.
Weather:
A brief drying trend occurred as scattered showers moved away from the area Thursday through Friday. Saturday brings warmer temperatures with an increased potential for scattered afternoon rains.
Smoke:
Smoke will continue to impact areas near the fires, especially during the late overnight and morning hours. For more details, visit the Smoke Outlook.
Closures:
South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order: Issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. Closed areas are detailed at Lincoln National Forest Alerts.
Mescalero Apache Tribe Fire Restriction Notice: Issued a Class V/Stage II – Extreme Fire Restriction on June 28, 2024. More information is available at Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): In place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are prohibited within this area. Visit FAA TFR for more information.
Additional Information:
Facebook: Southwest Incident Management Team 5
Smoke Outlook: Smoke Outlook
Lincoln County Government: Lincoln County NM
Mescalero Apache Tribe: Mescalero Apache Tribe
Village of Ruidoso: South Fork Fire
Stay informed and stay safe as our community continues to recover and rebuild.
