Residents of Ruidoso in New Mexico forced to evacuate due to forest fires
Residents of the village of Ruidoso in southern New Mexico were ordered to flee their homes without gathering any belongings on Monday (June 17) due to a fast-spreading wildfire. At least one person has died as a result of the blaze. , As per CBS News reports, officials in Ruidoso, home to 7,000 people, said on their website and social media posts around 7 p.m.,”Leave now, do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home, Evacuate immediately.”
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news conference on Tuesday (June 18) afternoon that the area is still under an evacuation order and that she will visit the affected areas within 24 hours. Governor Grisham said that the extent of the damage is not yet fully known. She said the Bureau of Land Management is leading a team of six investigators to determine the cause of the forest fire. “It will take time to do this work,” Grisham said.
One person died due to fire
According to CBS News, the governor’s office confirmed via email on Tuesday night that one person had died in the forest fire. “Unfortunately details are still very scarce, so we cannot say anything more at this time,” said Michael Coleman, a spokesman for the governor.
Due to this fierce fire, emergency officials had set up shelters in nearby Roswell and provided space at the fairgrounds to keep the evacuated animals. The village of Ruidoso is about 75 miles west of Roswell.
Over 15,000 acres of area burnt
According to city officials, the wildfire had burned 15,261 acres of area so far by Tuesday evening and it was not even 0 percent contained, Fox Weather reported. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency, which will provide additional state resources to fight the fire and help those affected.
