Fires are raging in the US state of New Mexico. On Wednesday, local authorities reported that the fire had caused the death of at least one person. The flames have so far burned an area exceeding eight thousand hectares and are still not under control.
According to the New Mexico Fire Department, the fight against the fire continues on two fronts. The first, larger fire broke out on Monday in the Mescalero reservation, which belongs to the indigenous inhabitants of the American continent. The flames spread very quickly, consuming over 6,100 hectares of forest and meadows by Wednesday. A separate, smaller fire is also raging in the region, currently covering an area of almost 2,500 hectares.
“I don't know if we still have a house.”
On Wednesday, the state governor's office reported that at least one person died and two residents were injured as a result of the fires. By Tuesday evening, the fire had consumed approximately 1,400 homes and other buildings. Due to strong and dry winds that fueled the fire, it was necessary to evacuate all 7,000 residents of Ruidoso.
– When the ashes fell, it was really terrifying. It was a bit like falling snow, really scary, one of the evacuees told local media.
– I don't know if we still have a house. Several people in the neighborhood have already lost theirs, another resident of Ruidoso told Reuters.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County, where Ruidoso is located, and the Mescalero Reservation. Ground and air firefighting is ongoing in the area, but due to unfavorable weather conditions, the fire has not been brought under any control. To prevent accidents, the state police blocked all roads leading to Ruidoso.
Reuters, NM Fire Info, Ruidoso News
Main photo source: Reuters/Pamela Bonner