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South Fork Fire (New Mexico)

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Coordinates: 33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W / 33.34139°N 105.66611°W / 33.34139; -105.66611
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South Fork Fire
Coordinates33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W / 33.34139°N 105.66611°W / 33.34139; -105.66611
Statistics
Burned area17,569 acres (71.10 km2; 27.452 sq mi)
Impacts
Deaths2 people[1]
Structures destroyedAt least 1,400 structures[2]
Ignition
CauseLightning [3]
Map
Map
Perimeter of the South Fork Fire (map data)
South Fork Fire (New Mexico) is located in New Mexico
South Fork Fire (New Mexico)
The location of the South Fork Fire, in southern New Mexico

The South Fork Fire was a wildfire in New Mexico that burned 17,569 acres (7,110 ha) before being declared 99% contained as of July 15, 2024.[4] 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.[5][6][3]

A state of emergency was also declared by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.[7]

Incidents

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The South Fork Fire was first reported near Ruidoso near the Mescalaro Apache Reservation on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:07 AM MDT.[5] Extreme fire behavior occurred across the South Fork on June 18, 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 18.[8]

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.[7][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 responded with over 800 firefighters and 40 Army and Air National Guardsmen to assist state police with traffic checkpoints.[2]

Closures

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Various roads were 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

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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.[6][14]

Damage

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Reports indicate that more than 1,400 structures have been destroyed by the fire.[2][15]

See also

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  • Salt Fire, a wildfire burning near the South Fork Fire

References

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