Lincoln National Forest officials have raised the fire danger rating to 'very high' and will implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions starting May 30 at 8 a.m. due to increased fire danger. These restrictions, applying to all three districts, prohibit activities such as igniting fires, smoking outside, and using equipment that could spark a fire. Exemptions include specific uses of LPG-fueled stoves and smoking in enclosed spaces. Violation of these restrictions can lead to fines and imprisonment. For details and maps, visit the New Mexico Fire Information website.

In a significant development for the Ruidoso community, the Ruidoso Midtown Association has been granted $265,000 in funding for a crucial pedestrian and parking lot improvement project. This financial boost comes as part of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) initiative, which recently allocated $10 million in Capital Outlay Funding for public infrastructure projects in MainStreet districts across the state.

The Ruidoso Police Department (RPD) seeks the public's assistance in solving an unusually high number of burglaries within the Village. Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact the Ruidoso Police Department at 575-258-7365. Your information will remain anonymous, and a reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest of suspects.

At approximately 5:00 AM on August 31, 2023, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Ruidoso Police Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Willie Horton Drive. The warrant was executed as part of an ongoing investigation into the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. Sights were set on the Bandidos given the organization’s continued participation in murders, shootings, extortion, and other violent acts. The operation focused on 25 members within New Mexico chapters who appeared to be the most criminally active and loudest voices advocating for continued violence.

Crews from the Smokey Bear Ranger District are finishing work on the West Mountain Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire that began on August 3, 2023. The completed work is part of long-term goals in forest land management and wildfire mitigation efforts in the Lincoln National Forest. This is the final update on the West Mountain Fire unless there are any breaking developments.

The statewide portion of the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT), the taxes that businesses pay on the goods they sell, dropped to 4.875% effective July 1, 2023, resulting in changes to the overall rates across New Mexico. The rate drop is the result of legislation enacted in 2022 to benefit businesses and shoppers across New Mexico.

In a unanimous 6-0 vote, the Ruidoso Village Council voted at a Special Meeting earlier today to terminate Village Manager Tim Dodge. Dodge had been on paid administrative leave pending an investigative process since December 2, 2022. At the same meeting, it was announced the current Deputy Village Manager, Ron Sena, has been named as the Interim Manager. Sena will oversee all Village business along with Mayor Lynn Crawford until a permanent replacement is named.

Ruidoso firefighters Anthony Franks and Tony Nanz were honored with awards for their heroic actions in the April 2022 McBride Fire. Alec Davis also received the Fire Safety Commendation Award for his service fighting active wildfires in Texas and California.

RUIDOSO, NM – December 2, 2022  –   Tim Dodge, Village Manager for Ruidoso, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Some 8,000 homes and businesses in Ruidoso will soon, for the first time, be equipped with high-speed fiber, a result of a public-private partnership between the Village of Ruidoso and internet provider Kinetic. The village committed up to $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 stimulus funds it received to the project. Kinetic will pay $4.8 million and pledged to complete the project by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) will be stationed in various locations through early October to help eligible New Mexico residents apply for disaster assistance whose homes or personal property were damaged by wildfires and/or subsequent flooding directly related to the burn scars. No appointments are necessary to visit a DRC. However, the fastest and easiest way to apply for federal disaster assistance is online at: disasterassistance.gov/.

The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) has awarded $45,435 to the Village of Ruidoso through the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Grant Program for fiscal year 2023. Through this program, Ruidoso will use the funds to enhance public spaces and support local wildlife and ecosystems, among other projects.

RUIDOSO, NM – August 20, 2022 – After receiving a large amount of precipitation yesterday and today which forced several road closures in the Village, crews have removed debris and re-opened Paradise Canyon from Hull Road to Sudderth Drive and Meander Drive to Reese Drive. In addition, Gavilan Canyon Drive has re-opened from Meander Drive to Hull Road along with Warrior Drive.

On July 27, 2022, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford issued Executive Order 2022-04, which states the CPI adjustment to utility rates as provided in the Village of Ruidoso Code of Ordinances shall not be applied until the entire Governing Body of the Village of Ruidoso has met in open session to discuss this matter further.

On May 3, 2022, the Village of Ruidoso issued emergency executive order 2022-01 to waive permit fees for the rebuilding of more than 200 structures that have been destroyed or damaged in the McBride Fire and wind event of April 12, 2022.

In accordance with Lincoln County Ordinance 2017-03, the Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln County has enacted Resolution 2021-58 banning all burning of open flames, fires, campfires, trash, rubbish, shrubbery, or other material of any kind except by permit. This Resolution is to remain in effect for thirty (30) days or until rescinded by the Board of Commissioners.

CURRENT STATUS: PNM crews were able to safely restore power for another few hundred customers a short time ago. There are still about 4,800 customers we're working hard to restore. We expect 3,000-4,000 more customers to be restored by the end of today. Crews were able to safely restore power to Walmart and are working to restore Albertsons today as well. We have about 60 linemen working throughout Ruidoso, including in various canyons, the upper canyon, Cedar Creek Drive, the upper end of Ski Run Canyon, in the core part of town, and the area along Sudderth in the main business district towards Mechem.

PNM crews were able to make more headway overnight and restored power for thousands more customers. Power restoration efforts continue for the remaining 5,000 customers. The Snowcap area experienced heavy damage. Crews will be patrolling underground, making needed repairs, then reenergizing once safe to do so. If you need to charge your medical devices or cell phones, please seek the evacuation center at the convention center or the Lincoln County Medical Center for medical emergencies. Our crews are first responders, going in when everyone has to head out. These 60 crew members from this morning's safety briefing are working through the terrain, fallen trees, broken powerlines, damaged power poles, and more. We know how important power is to you and we will not stop until everyone is restored. Next update will be shortly after 11AM. #ruidosonewmexic

On April 12, 2022, at about 2:30 p.m., local firefighters responded to a structure fire at #569 Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso, NM. Later that evening, Ruidoso Police Department (RPD) received information about an elderly couple who attempted to evacuate the McBride Fire but were unaccounted for by family members.

NEWS ALERT: Residents are asked to please conserve water at this time because we are limited in our production efforts with the current power outages. Parts of town may experience a loss of pressure or total outage. We will provide additional updates when we have them.