Read reports from The New Mexican on the devastating fires impacting Ruidoso and the surrounding areas, and how residents are dealing with the fallout.

Tensions flare among local officials as Ruidoso reopens to residents
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Tensions flare among local officials as Ruidoso reopens to residents

  • By Gabrielle Porter gporter@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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The South Fork and Salt fires saw only minimal growth between Monday and Tuesday; more rain is expected in the area Wednesday.

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As Ruidoso residents return, crews continue search for remains of 29 still missing

  • By Gabrielle Porter gporter@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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A weekend of monsoon rains left the fires "smoldering and creeping," although warm weather is expected to return today.

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Progress containing Ruidoso fires; flooding in Las Vegas

  • By Nathan Brown nbrown@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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The 16,614-acre South Fork Fire is now 26% contained, the State Forestry Division said, and the Salt Fire is 7% contained.

Evacuees from Ruidoso area fires recount panic, express gratitude
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Evacuees from Ruidoso area fires recount panic, express gratitude

  • By Maya Hilty mhilty@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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Following chaotic evacuations from fires, people are relying upon aid and waiting for news of friends, family and their property.

Officials hope cooler weather will help tame raging fire
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Officials hope cooler weather will help tame raging fire

  • By Maya Hilty and Nathan Brown mhilty@sfnewmexican.com nbrown@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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As the fire burned, Kathy and her son Robert White waited, unsure when they will return home or what they will return to.

Rain a 'huge blessing' for some, 'devastasting' for others in Ruidoso area
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Rain a 'huge blessing' for some, 'devastasting' for others in Ruidoso area

  • By Maya Hilty mhilty@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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Rain on Wednesday dampened the destructive South Fork and Salt fires but presented new concerns for residents and emergency managers.

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Governor calls for federal aid as deadly fire rages in Ruidoso

  • By Scott Wyland swyland@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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The South Fork and Salt fires still raging in the Ruidoso area have led to the deaths of at least two people, and more may be missing.

'Never in my life': Ruidoso-area residents, workers face challenges moving animals
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'Never in my life': Ruidoso-area residents, workers face challenges moving animals

  • By Gabrielle Porter gporter@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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A number of racehorses evacuated from Ruidoso Downs are sheltering in Albuquerque as the flames move closer to the area.

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How to help victims of fires impacting the Ruidoso area

  • The New Mexican
  • Updated
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Here are ways to offer financial support, pet support and supplies for those impacted by the South Fork and Salt fires.

Storm systems later this week could bring rain to wildfires near Ruidoso, but also a shift in winds
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Storm systems later this week could bring rain to wildfires near Ruidoso, but also a shift in winds

  • By Gabrielle Porter gporter@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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New Mexico's state forester described this week's weather as a good news/bad news scenario for the fast-moving fires.

'It looked like the end of the world': Ruidoso evacuees describe chaotic flight
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'It looked like the end of the world': Ruidoso evacuees describe chaotic flight

  • By Gabrielle Porter gporter@sfnewmexican.com
  • Updated
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A wildfire that damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,400 structures and killed at least one person in the village had reached about 15,200 acres by Tuesday night.