South Fork Fire (New Mexico)
The South Fork Fire was a wildfire in New Mexico that burned before being declared 99% contained as of July 15, 2024. 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.
A state of emergency was also declared by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Incidents
The South Fork Fire was first reported near Ruidoso near the Mescalaro Apache Reservation on June 17, 2024, at approximately 9:07 AM MDT. 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.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. That same day it was reported that one person had died from the fire. 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.
State and federal officials responded with over 800 firefighters and 40 Army and Air National Guardsmen to assist state police with traffic checkpoints.