All 29 missing people from New Mexico wildfires have been found, says mayor
In a significant development, all 29 individuals who were unaccounted for following the devastating wildfires in New Mexico have been located, according to the mayor of the Village of Ruidoso. Mayor Lynn Crawford made the announcement during a community meeting on Wednesday, bringing a sense of relief to the affected community.
“All the folks that we had on the missing list is now at zero,” Mayor Crawford stated, addressing the residents about the South Fork and Salt fires. Earlier in the week, the mayor had reported that more than two dozen people were missing after the fires erupted last week, leading to the evacuation of Ruidoso, a town with a population of approximately 7,500.
The wildfires have claimed two lives and scorched over 25,000 acres in and around Ruidoso, as confirmed by the New Mexico State Police. The fires originated on the Mescalero Apache Reservation on June 17 and rapidly spread eastward, driven by high temperatures and strong winds. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.
The fires have had a devastating impact on the community, with an estimated 1,400 structures affected and around 500 homes believed to be lost, according to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Urban search and rescue teams, including 20 dogs trained to detect human remains, have conducted secondary searches of the damaged structures.
“I’m happy to report we did not find any human remains,” said Ernie Rhodes, the urban search and rescue operation chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This news has provided some solace to the community, which has been grappling with the aftermath of the fires.
Progress has been made in containing the fires, aided by improved weather conditions that have helped to cool fire activity. As of Thursday, the South Fork Fire was 69% contained, and the Salt Fire was 66% contained, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.
The search for more victims had been ongoing, with residents of Ruidoso allowed to re-enter the village on Monday for the first time since the wildfires converged on the community. Mayor Crawford had earlier reported that “eight or less” individuals were still missing as of Tuesday, but the number has since been reduced to zero.
The fires have caused massive destruction, with more than 1,000 firefighting personnel battling the blazes. FBI special agents are also involved in investigating the cause of the fires. The fires continue to burn as the nation faces extreme heat, which exacerbates the likelihood and destructiveness of wildfires.
In Ruidoso, the two confirmed wildfire deaths include Patrick Pearson, 60, who was staying at the Swiss Chalet Inn, which was destroyed in the fire. The identity of the second victim has not been confirmed by state police.
“The look on the children’s faces when you know they don’t understand,” Mayor Crawford told CNN affiliate KOAT, “when you see the people, the looks on their faces – it’s very difficult.”
The village of Ruidoso has been significantly impacted, with several hundred homes among the structures destroyed or damaged. Images shared on social media depict homes reduced to ash, with only foundations or fireplaces left standing. Charred vehicles and twisted metal roofs are scattered across the hillsides where homes once stood.
Despite the devastation, some properties were spared, although the surrounding ponderosa pines have blackened trunks and singed needles. The village has set up temporary housing for about 500 people, and food and other supplies are being distributed. Residents returning to the village have been advised to bring bottled water and a week’s worth of food, as some utilities have yet to be restored.
Several dozen members of the New Mexico Army and Air National Guard are stationed in Ruidoso to assist with recovery efforts. Utility workers are installing new power poles and stringing wires throughout the community, while workers from the New Mexico Environment Department are testing the drinking water system.
President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico last Thursday, freeing up funding and resources to assist with housing and other emergency work related to the fires. The two fires have burned approximately 40 square miles (104 square kilometers), and full containment is not expected until July 15, according to fire officials.
Officials have also warned residents to be cautious of potential flash flooding if more rain falls on the bare mountain slopes. Kerry Gladden, a spokeswoman for the village of Ruidoso, noted that wildfires are not uncommon in the Sacramento Mountains, but described this event as “a whole other level of devastation.”
“It kind of takes your breath away when you see it,” Gladden told The Associated Press. “And you know, we are resilient and we will rebuild and we will absolutely come back from this. But, boy, it’s hard to see it at this point.”
Source: NBC News, CNN
