South Fork Fire
View of the South Fork fire in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Date(s)	June 17, 2024 (2024-06-17) – present (3 days)
Location	Ruidoso, New Mexico, United States
Coordinates	33°20′29″N 105°39′58″W / 33.34139°N 105.66611°W / 33.34139; -105.66611
Statistics
Burned area	16,335 acres (66.11  km2; 25.523  sq mi)
Impacts
Deaths	2 people [1]
Structures destroyed	At least 1,400 structures [2]
Ignition
Cause	Under Investigation
Map
The location of the South Fork Fire, in southern New Mexico

The South Fork Fire is an ongoing wildfire in New Mexico that has burned 16,335 acres (6,611 ha) and is 0% contained. 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. ^{[3] [4]}

A state of emergency was also declared by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. ^[5]

Incidents

The South Fork Fire was first reported near Ruidoso on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:07 AM MDT. ^[3] 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. ^[6]

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. ^{[5] [7]} That same day it was reported that one person had died from the fire. ^{[8] [9]} 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. ^[10]

State and federal officials have responded with over 800 firefighters and 40 Army and Air National Guardsmen to assist state police with traffic checkpoints. ^[11]

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. ^[12]

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. ^{[4] [13]}

Damage

Reports indicate that more than 1,400 structures have been destroyed by the fire. ^{[11] [14]}

See also

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

References