New Mexico is facing a convergence of five disasters simultaneously; and monsoon season is just around the corner.
Already in a state of drought, two devastating wildfires began burning in New Mexico on June 18. Hail and heavy rain from Tropical Storm Alberto on June 20 hampered firefighters’ ability to access the fires and flooding in new and old wildfire scar areas led to debris flows. To add to the misery, a haboob – a major dust storm – stretched hundreds of miles across New Mexico and Arizona – on June 20.
The larger of the two wildfires, named the South Fork Fire, ignited in the Mescalero Apache tribal region and rapidly spread beyond tribal land to the tourist community of Ruidoso.
A second fire, the Salt Fire, has consumed nearly 8,000 acres of tribal land with only 7% containment. The fires have destroyed over 1,400 structures (including close to 1,000 homes) and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents in Lincoln County. Two people were killed and an unknown number may be missing. Full containment isn’t expected until July 15.
Photo: Wildland firefighters battle a fire on June 17, 2024. (Photo credit: National Interagency Fire Center via X)
