Rain and cooler weather are helping firefighters battle large wildfires in southern New Mexico

RUIDOSO, New Mexico (AP) – Recent rains and cooler weather helped more than 1,000 firefighters battle two wildfires in southern New Mexico on Saturday that killed two people, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee.

Fire crews took advantage of temperatures in the 70s, rain showers and light winds to dig out protective lines with bulldozers, while hand crews used shovels in more rugged terrain to extinguish fires near the mountain village of Ruidoso.

The South Fork Fire, which has grown to 26 square miles (67 square kilometers), is 26% contained, while the Salt Fire, which has grown to 12 square miles (31 square kilometers), is 7% contained, according to National Interagency. Fire Center.

According to the agency, full security was to take place only on July 15.

It is estimated that the fires destroyed or damaged approximately 1,400 structures. Other debris from the fires – including downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas pipes, and flooding of burn marks – continues to “pose a risk to firefighters and the public,” according to a Saturday update from the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Agency state of New Mexico. Resources Department.

In this photo provided by Pam Bonner, smoke can be seen rising from wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, Monday, June 17, 2024. Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled a mountainous village as a wind-whipped fire burned through homes and other buildings. (Pam Bonner via AP)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pam Bonner

Evacuations in the Ruidoso area and road closures remained in effect. In Ruidoso, full-time residents will be able to return on Monday, although daily life will not return to normal.

“You will need to take a week’s worth of food and drinking water with you,” Mayor Lynn Crawford said on Facebook.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham were scheduled to tour the disaster area on Saturday.

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico on Thursday, freeing up funds and more resources to help with recovery efforts, including temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other emergency work in Lincoln County and the areas belonging to the Mescalero Apache tribe.

Much of the southwest has been exceptionally dry and hot in recent months. These conditions, combined with high winds, pushed the flames out of control and quickly moved the fire from the South Fork to Ruidoso within a few hours. The evacuation included hundreds of homes, businesses, the regional medical center and the Ruidoso Downs horse track.

Nationwide, wildfires have burned more than 3,344 square miles (8,660 square kilometers) this year – a number higher than the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.