Huge flames destroyed or severely damaged approximately 500 structures in Ruidoso, forcing residents to flee under evacuation orders with little time to retrieve personal goods, according to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Her office verified that one person had died in the incident, but they withheld further information.
She had earlier claimed that all 7,000 residents of the area had been evacuated.
On the Rudioso municipal website, there was a notice that said, “GO NOW: Do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home.” Leave right now.”
Mrs. Grisham sent more National Guard troops and issued a state of emergency in the southern part of New Mexico in order to do it.
The governor declared in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that the fires’ severity defies local control and necessitates prompt state assistance to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.
On the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico, one of the wildfires, known as the South Fork Fire, broke out on Monday. The tribal president there issued an executive order establishing a state of emergency. It was blazing on US Forest Service and tribal lands in the vicinity of Ruidoso.
In addition, a second fire known as the Salt Fire was raging southwest of Ruidoso on the Mescalero tribe. As of Tuesday morning, it covered more than 7.6 square miles (19.6 square kilometers) without any containment, according to the forestry division.
