Learn about the US Forest Service Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire processes and methods. Date: May 9, 2022. Location: Ruidoso Convention Center. Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Virtual attendance via Zoom and YouTube is also available.

Now, more than ever, local news matters. Vol. 9: May 2022: This issue of the Village of Ruidoso Insider newsletter covers municipal news and events, bringing information about the people, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local government decisions and projects that are important to the Ruidoso community.

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.

Join us on Thursday, May 5, 2022, from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Ruidoso Convention Center for the Governor’s Cabinet In Your Community Lincoln County Wildfire Recovery Meeting. Cabinet leaders, constituent services personnel from various state agencies, and Governor’s Office staff will be on hand to field questions and concerns at this wildfire outreach meeting in Ruidoso.

The Village will be replacing guardrails on both sides of Hull Road at the Cedar Creek crossing. Hull Road will be closed in both directions from Paradise Canyon Drive to Royal Drive from May 2-6, 2022. Resident access on Hull Road south of Royal Drive will only be available from the north. Please follow the detour route and all traffic control signs.

The Lincoln National Forest joins other forest and parks in New Mexico who are implementing strict fire restrictions among a flurry of wildfires across the state. The Lincoln National Forest is entering Stage 2 fire restrictions just a week after going into Stage 1 restrictions.

The Village is working to make sure every home impacted by the McBride fire and related wind event can recover quickly and completely. As recovery efforts are underway, we will continue to provide resources for rebuilding, including the latest information for permits and property tax assessments to help you recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been established by the Lincoln NF to begin a burned area assessment of the Nogal Canyon and McBride Fires that recently burned on private, state, and federal lands in and near Ruidoso, NM.

After a wildfire, private wells can be contaminated and unsafe to use for drinking water and other purposes. If you are a private well owner, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) will provide FREE private well water quality testing on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM at the Ruidoso Swimming Pool, 515 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345. Those affected by the fire will have the opportunity to get their water tested for bacteria as follows…

Highlights: Both the Nogal Canyon and McBride Fires were transferred to a Type 4 Command structure on April 21st at 7:00 am. Safety: Today is an Extremely Critical Fire Weather Day. There are red flag warnings in effect. Lincoln County, the Village of Ruidoso, Otero County, and the Lincoln National Forest are ALL under fire restrictions or burn bans. Please do not burn debris, weld, or have campfires on red flag warning days.

The Grindstone Lake boat ramp will be closed for three weeks effective immediately for the construction of a boat ramp. Boaters can carry their kayaks and boats down the ramp but will not be able to drive down the ramp. The Contractor for the Project is Renegade Construction for more details on the project contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 575-257-5030.

As of 7 am Thursday, April 21, 2022, the McBride Fire has been transferred to a Type-4 Incident Management Team. With high containment numbers and no fire movement for multiple days, we will be switching to a full written update every other day.

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.

Due to increasing fire danger, the Village of Ruidoso, NM, has implemented Stage II fire restrictions effective immediately on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. These additional fire protections will remain in effect until officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

The Lincoln National Forest implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective April 19, 2022, due to increasing fire activity and dry conditions. The increased fire danger is due to insufficient moisture and dry fuel conditions across the forest. The following are prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions […]

This will be the FINAL written update for the McBride Fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure tomorrow, April 21st at 7:00 am. Once the fire transitions, updates will be made to the Facebook page and InciWeb as notable events occur. The current phone numbers and email addresses will no longer be monitored. As of Thursday morning, members of the public should call 575-258-6900, and media outlets to call 505-445-8278.

Hazardous debris after a wildfire can be toxic, and improper transport and disposal of fire debris can create dangerous impacts throughout the community. For proper disposal of fire debris, please place it on the curb in front of your house, and the VOR grapple truck will come to remove it for you. Residents are asked to abide by the following when cleaning their property.

On the evening of April 18, 2022, four UTVs owned by a US Forest Service Interagency Hotshot Crew assigned to the McBride Fire 2022 were vandalized. The vandalism occurred at the end of Eagle Creek Road where the pavement ends and it turns to dirt. Hotshots and other firefighting personnel use UTVs to access parts of the fire where regular vehicles cannot go. Thankfully, this unfortunate incident has not hampered fire suppression efforts. No arrests have been made at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office at 575-648-2341.

Multiple pieces of firefighter equipment located in and around the fire area has been vandalized. Law enforcement is involved and an investigation is underway. With objectives continuing to be met, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will begin to transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure on Thursday morning at 7:00 am.

The majority of work left to be completed is along the eastern fire’s edge. However, firefighters will have a presence in the communities to the west to address hotspots and mitigate hazard trees. Yesterday, crews were able to complete a full assessment with hotshot crews walking the entire perimeter. A reconnaissance flight was conducted to check the fire’s edge for hotspots.