ROSWELL, N.M. – After days of intense heat and dry conditions, there is finally some hope for firefighters battling blazes in southern New Mexico. Cooler weather and the possibility of rain could bring some much-needed relief this week. The fires have already caused devastation, claiming one life, damaging hundreds of structures, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.
According to Joshua Schroeder of the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, a shift in weather patterns is expected by Wednesday morning. Moisture from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico is making its way towards the region, which could bring much-needed rain. “Today was really our last dry day,” Schroeder said on Tuesday. “Rains will then peak into Thursday and diminish by the weekend.”
While the arrival of rain is a positive development, there are still some concerns. Schroeder warned that there could be some shifts in wind later on Wednesday, and the rain could potentially lead to flash flooding in areas that have recently been burned.
The village of Ruidoso, located in the mountains, was hit hard by the fire due to strong winds. Residents were given little notice before being forced to evacuate. However, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office has confirmed one fatality from the fire, with more details yet to be released.
More than 500 structures have been destroyed or damaged, although it is unclear how many of those were homes. A flyover to assess the damage and provide more accurate mapping is planned overnight.
Ardis Holder, a resident of Ruidoso, had to flee the village with her two young daughters and her gas tank almost empty. She fears that the house she was renting in her hometown is now gone, based on the maps she has seen. “We were already seeing where all the fire hit, it’s everywhere,” she said from a shelter in nearby Roswell. “If there’s something standing, that’s awesome. But, if not, we were prepared for the worst.”
In response to the crisis, Lujan Grisham has declared a county-wide state of emergency, which also extends to the neighboring Mescalero Apache Reservation where the fires originated. National Guard troops have been deployed, and the declaration will unlock additional funding and resources to assist in managing the situation.
Nationwide, wildfires have already burned more than 3,280 square miles this year, which is higher than the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Currently, about 20 wildfires are considered large and uncontained, including blazes in California and Washington state.
Lujan Grisham said the two wildfires in southern New Mexico have consumed more than 31 square miles. The exact cause of the fires is still unknown, but the Southwest Coordination Center has listed them as human-caused. “We are deploying every available resource to control these fires,” Lujan Grisham said.
Ruidoso is home to a population of around 7,000 people, which expands to 25,000 during the warmer months as people from hotter climates seek refuge in the cool mountain air. The village, nestled within the Lincoln National Forest, offers many amenities such as a casino, golf course, and ski resort operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. It is also known for its horse races at the Ruidoso Downs, which is home to one of the sport’s richest quarter-horse competitions.
On Monday, as residents fled through traffic-clogged downtown streets, some described the scene as apocalyptic. Smoke filled the sky, embers were raining down, and 100-foot flames could be seen in the distance.
Evacuation orders were given with little notice, leaving some residents with no time to gather their belongings. Christy Hood and her husband Richard had to quickly grab their two children and two dogs. “As we were leaving, there were flames in front of me and to the side of me,” said Hood, a real estate agent in Ruidoso. “And all the animals were just running — charging — trying to get out.”
Ruidoso officials were clear in their message on social media: “GO NOW: Do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home. Evacuate immediately.”
Jacquie and Ernie Escajeda had to leave their home after seeing smoke rise above a nearby mountain. They kept a close eye on updates through their cellphones and the radio. “There was no ‘get ready,’
