Little Bear Fire Evacuees Anxiously Awaiting News Of Their Homes

While the Little Bear fire in the Lincoln National Forest has not reached Ruidoso, the village is full of activity. It houses the base camp for fire crews and many people who had to evacuate from their homes.

Shelters have been set up, but many evacuees are choosing to stay with friends, family, or even pay for hotel rooms.

Many evacuees are starting to lose hope that their homes will be spared from the fire’s devastation.

“It was all on fire,” Michael McDermed, an evacuee, said. “The flames were shooting 100 or 200 feet. It lit up the sky like it was daylight.

McDermed said he and his family watched the flames get dangerously close to their house before receiving the notice to evacuate. When they did, he said they had no time to gather their belongings.

Once they were safe, McDermed said they had no idea where to go because of all the confusion from going through the terrifying experience and finding their way around with all of the closed roads.

The family is now staying in a hotel in Ruidoso. McDermed said the employees were nice enough to give him a discount because of his situation.

Not everyone is being so considerate. McDermed and a few other residents told officials some people in the area may be taking advantage of the tragic situation.

“I heard that (rumor) from a couple people … that some of the hotels actually raised the rates from what they were,” McDermed said. “They were $10, $20, as high as $50 higher than what they usually charge.”

Officials said they will be investigating those claims and taking necessary action if they turn out to be true.