South Fork Fire Explained

South Fork Fire
Coordinates:33.3414°N -105.6661°W
Cause:Lightning [1]
Pushpin Map:USA New Mexico
Pushpin Map Caption:The location of the South Fork Fire, in southern New Mexico
Buildings:At least 1,400 structures[2]
Fatalities:2 people[3]

The South Fork Fire is an ongoing wildfire in New Mexico that has burned and is 87% contained as of July 3rd, 2024. The fire began on June 17 near the town of Ruidoso and grew very rapidly, surpassing 15,000 acres burned by the following day and destroying at least 1400 houses and structures. Investigators have stated that a lightning strike caused the fire.[4] [5] [6]

A state of emergency was also declared by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Incidents

The South Fork Fire was first reported near Ruidoso near the Mescalaro Apache Reservation on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:07 AM MDT. Extreme fire behavior occurred across the South Fork on June 18th, with crowning observed. Air resources worked in conjunction with ground resources, firefighters and heavy equipment, to continue constructing protective firelines including around structures. Firefighters quickly put out a spot fire on the South Fork Fire on June 18th.[7]

On June 18, 2024, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the South Fork Fire and nearby Salt Fire.[8] [9] That same day it was reported that one person had died from the fire.[10] [11] The following day another person was reported to have died due to the fire, as a result of the fire burning the vehicle they were in.[12]

State and federal officials have responded with over 800 firefighters and 40 Army and Air National Guardsmen to assist state police with traffic checkpoints.

Closures

Various roads have been closed due to the fire including stretches of Highway 48 and Highway 70 near Ruidoso, State Highway 48 from Alpine Village to State Highway 220 and U.S. Route 70 from mile marker 249 to mile marker 258.[13]

Evacuations

On June 17, 2024, at 7 PM MDT, just under 10 hours after the fire had begun, the entire town of Ruidoso, New Mexico was ordered to evacuate. Several evacuation centers have been set up in the city of Roswell, about 75 miles west of Ruidoso.[14]

Damage

Reports indicate that more than 1,400 structures have been destroyed by the fire.[15] [16]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/new-mexico-Suzane-Mathis-lives-there-investigators-say-lightning-strike-caused-south-fork-fire/
  2. Web site: Sistek . Scott . 2024-06-18 . Over 1,400 structures burned as South Fork wildfire rages in New Mexico and weather becomes erratic . 2024-06-19 . FOX Weather . en-US.
  3. Web site: Staff . KCBD . 2024-06-19 . 2nd death reported as South Fork Fire continues to burn NW of Ruidoso . 2024-06-20 . KCBD . en.
  4. Web site: Map Viewer . 2024-06-18 . Incident Status Dashboard.
  5. Web site: 2024-06-18 . New Mexico village of Ruidoso orders residents to evacuate due to raging wildfire: "GO NOW" . 2024-06-18 . . en-US.
  6. https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/new-mexico-investigators-say-lightning-strike-caused-south-fork-fire/
  7. Web site: 2024-06-19 . South Fork Fire, Salt Fire Daily Update: June 19, 2024 - Evacuations in Place with Continued Fire Growth Expected . 2024-06-21 . Ruidoso-NM.gov Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM . en-US.
  8. Web site: admin@sks.com . 2024-06-18 . Governor declares state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to wildfires . 2024-06-19 . Office of the Governor - Michelle Lujan Grisham . en-US.
  9. Web site: Wolfe . Elizabeth . 2024-06-18 . At least 1 dead in New Mexico as 2 wildfires burn near communities, officials say . 2024-06-19 . CNN . en.
  10. News: Wolfe . Elizabeth . 2024-06-18 . At least 1 reported dead in New Mexico as 2 wildfires burn near communities, officials say . 2024-06-19 . . en.
  11. Web site: 2024-06-19 . 1 dead, 1,400 structures lost in New Mexico wildfires that forced thousands to leave . 2024-06-19 . NBC News . en.
  12. Web site: Staff . KCBD . 2024-06-19 . 2nd death reported as South Fork Fire continues to burn NW of Ruidoso . 2024-06-20 . KCBD . en.
  13. Web site: Gonzalez . Jessica . 2024-06-18 . Road closures, evacuation routes for Ruidoso, NM . 2024-06-19 . KDBC . en.
  14. Web site: 2024-06-17 . IMMEDIATE MANDATORY "GO" EVACUATION FOR THE VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO - June 17, 2024 . 2024-06-19 . Ruidoso-NM.gov Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM . en-US.
  15. Web site: Sistek . Scott . 2024-06-18 . Over 1,400 structures burned as South Fork wildfire rages in New Mexico and weather becomes erratic . 2024-06-19 . FOX Weather . en-US.
  16. Web site: Catlin . Nick . 2024-06-19 . One person dead as South Fork fire evacuations continue . 2024-06-19 . KOAT . en.

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