Devastating wildfires threaten a New Mexico town, evacuations ordered

Two fast-growing wildfires threaten a village inside the Mescalero Apache Tribal Reservation in New Mexico, prompting the evacuation of thousands. The South Fork Fire, which started Monday, has nearly tripled in size overnight, burning nearly 14,000 acres by Tuesday morning. Another fire, the Salt Fire, is burning south of the town of Ruidoso, which has already consumed nearly 5,000 acres. Both fires are currently 0% contained.

On Monday evening, Ruidoso officials urged the town's 7,800 residents to evacuate immediately, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety over property. Forestry officials in New Mexico have reported that several structures are at risk and an unspecified number have already been destroyed.

The fires have caused the partial closure of US Highway 70 south of the town, and the Mescalero Apache president has declared a state of emergency to aid in evacuation and firefighting efforts. Communication has been further complicated by phone outages caused by the fires, forcing Ruidoso first responders to relocate their emergency operations center to maintain 911 response capabilities.

Shelters have been set up in nearby communities for evacuees, and the city of Roswell has made hospital space available to patients evacuated from the Ruidoso hospital. The region has been struggling with a drought for nearly a year, with parts of southeastern New Mexico experiencing what is classified as an “exceptional drought.” Hot, dry weather has exacerbated the fires, and similar conditions are expected to persist.

Ruidoso officials are planning “massive aerial strikes” to help fight the flames. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation. The village, a popular tourist destination for its trails, parks and proximity to the Lincoln National Forest, is now under threat.

Meanwhile, in California, firefighters are battling another wildfire north of Los Angeles, where more than 15,000 hectares have burned and hundreds have been forced to evacuate. This comes as parts of the United States are facing the first heat wave of the season, with heat alerts issued for more than 70 million Americans. Scientists attribute the increased frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events to human-caused climate change.