Social Updates

South Fork Interactive Fire Public Map

After entering, please click on the small icon in the map's top right corner to access distribution sites, shelters, road closures, and more.

Fire Overview

• Discovery Date: June 17, 2024

• Affected Area: Over 25,000 acres

• Cause: South Fork – Lightning Strike; Salt – Under Investigation

• Containment: South Fork – 99%; Salt – 99%

• Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt

• Location: Mescalero Tribal, US Forest Service land, and areas around the Village of Ruidoso

• Closures: On 6/20/2024, a South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, roads, and trails are closed to public access to enhance the safety of firefighting personnel and the public.

• Fire Restrictions: The Lincoln National Forest has also implemented forest-wide Stage II fire restrictions. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln.

Contact Information

• Questions About The South Fork & Salt Fires

  • Mescalero Apache Tribe: 575-464-4494

  • Lincoln National Forest: 575-270-2726

  • New Mexico State Forestry Division: 505-699-0601

• Questions About Flooding And/Or FEMA Assistance:

  • Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214

  • Village of Ruidoso Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900

  • FEMA: 800-621-3362

• More Information: Visit Inciweb

Immediate Risk

Flash Floods: After wildfires, flash floods can swiftly follow a rainstorm, even in areas not typically flood-prone. Burned landscapes lead to mudflows with debris and ash, causing substantial damage. Move to higher ground promptly for safety.

Drinking Water Disruption: An interactive DO NOT DRINK map has also been created to assist community members in seeing where the advisories have been lifted and where the advisories remain in place.

Related Broadcasts

Donations

• Community Foundation of Lincoln County: Donate Here

Official Statements and Support

• Major Disaster Declaration: FEMA-4795-DR granted by President Joe Biden on June 20, 2024, releases federal funds to support recovery efforts.

• State of Emergency: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared Executive Order 2024-107 for Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, effective June 18, 2024.

Emergency Operations Center

• Phone: 575-258-6900

• Location: Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, Ruidoso, NM

wildfire Recovery Resources

Wildfire Updates

Support resources

FEMA DR4795 Field Locations

• Disaster Survivor Assistance Team

  White Mountain Relief Center, 687 Hull Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345

  Sunday- Saturday 9:00 am-6:30 PM

• Disaster Survivor Assistance Team

  Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345 (Located behind District Court)

  Sunday-Saturday 9:00 am-6:30 PM

• Disaster Recovery Center

• Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345 (Located behind District Court)

  Opening Tuesday, July 2, 2024

  Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-7:00 PM

Register at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362

• FREE ASSISTANCE: Samaritan's Purse is offering free help to homeowners affected by the recent disaster in your area. Volunteers can assist with content recovery (sifting), flood cleanup, chainsaw work, debris cleanup, and the removal of personal property and furniture. Services are provided based on need and volunteer availability. Call 833-747-1234 to speak with a representative. For volunteer opportunities, call River Crossing Ministries at 575-808-7899. Address: 1950 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345.

• Red Cross Assistance: If your home has been damaged by the recent wildfires, the American Red Cross can help with recovery planning and financial assistance. For questions or support, please call 1-800-733-2767. Service is available in both English and Spanish. Additional resources may be available by calling 2-1-1.

• Emotional Support and Recovery:

  • New Mexico Crisis Access Line; 855-662-7474; https://nmcrisisline.com/

  • Disaster Distress Helpline; 800-985-5990; https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

• Federal Assistance:

  • FEMA: Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585)

  • Calls are accepted daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain time

SHELTER Locations

• White Mountain Relief Center: 687 Hull Road, Ruidoso, NM

  • FEMA and Red Cross assistance, shelter, food, water, personal hygiene items and toiletries

Animal Care

• Displaced Animals: Contact the Humane Society of Lincoln County Shelter at (575) 257-9841.

• Pet Medications and Nutritional Supplements: Available through the Ruidoso Animal Clinic's online pharmacy.

Resources

• Inciweb: South Fork and Salt Fire Information

• Facebook: SWIMT5

• Smoke Outlook: Smoke Outlook

• Lincoln County Government: Lincoln County

• Mescalero Apache Tribe: Mescalero Apache Tribe

• Village of Ruidoso: South Fork Fire

• Incident Map: View Map