QUEMADO, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Paradise Fire, located 13 miles south of Quemado, New Mexico, is now at 92% containment, the Gila Las Cruces Incident Management Team commander says. 115 personnel are now involved in fighting the fire, which remains at 727 acres as of this morning. Update (May 29, 2025): Officials say the
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CAPITAN, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Seven Cabins Fire is burning in the Smokey Bear Ranger District in the Capitan Mountains right now. The fire is located about about 16 miles northeast of Capitan, New Mexico. Officials say the fire was caused by lightning and is approximately .25 acres. Earlier today, a helicopter was overhead
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UPDATE: The U.S. Forest Service – Lincoln National Forest now reports that all forward progress has been stopped on the Flume Canyon Fire, with air resources playing a big role in stopping the spread. According to their Facebook page, all firefighting resources are now mopping up the fire and crews will monitor the area overnight.
Continue Reading LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) — Dona Ana County, among others in New Mexico, are under fire restrictions. The Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Forestry Division is enacting the restrictions. They are in place until officials with the division rescind them. Smoking, fireworks use, campfires, prescribed burning or open burning, and flaring of gas related
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Update (May 22, 2025): The Pina Peak Fire is now 50% contained, officials say. “As of 0915 a.m. today, BLM crews are still working the edge cold trailing and mopping up the lines,” a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson explained. “The fire is 50% contained now across the 116 acres.” Update (May 21, 2025): A
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Update: According to data from the U.S. Forest Service, the fire is now 77% contained, and is down to 482 acres in size. SILVER CITY, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Gila National Forest and Wilderness Ranger District are responding to the Iron Fire, located in the Iron Mesa area. Officials say the fire started around
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Update (4:10 PM): The Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue provided an update on the fire, estimating its size at two acres now, and stating that a fire line has been completed and all forward progressing has been stopped. “San Carlos 64 Fire Update: 04/08/25 at 15:43; a fire line has been completed around the fire and
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Update (March 21, 2025): The fire is now 25% contained. It is estimated to be impacting 108 acres. Update (March 20, 2025): The Gail Fire is now at 238 acres and 10% containment. Communities were placed back to “Set” status, down from “Go” status. Today crews are working to secure interior hot spots. They hope
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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — New Mexico Forestry Division is sending out contractors to help landowners in the Ruidoso area restore forests and watersheds damaged in last summer’s wildfires. They are removing hazardous trees and putting up erosion barriers to prevent future flooding. “Beyond these environmental effects, the South Fork and Salt fires destroyed or
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MESCALERO, New Mexico (KVIA) — The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who started the Salt Fire. The wildfire started on June 17, 2024. It burned on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in New Mexico.
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Update (11:40 AM): The Lincoln County OES is warning residents in the Bonito Lake area to stand by in Ready Status, meaning they may end up having to evacuate. The office says that if conditions worsen they will issue more emergency alerts and warn everyone to pay attention to social media. Update (October 29, 2024):
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — New Mexico’s governor says her cabinet secretaries will host community events in Ruidoso and Mescalero September 20 and 21. They will provide help and information to those residents still recovering after the South Fork and Salt Fires earlier this summer. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham promised New Mexicans that her administration
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Village of Ruidoso has ordered that the Ruidoso School District shelter in place due to an ongoing flood warning. The village posted about the warning on social media just minutes ago, explaining that all students and staff will remain on their campuses until conditions allow for parents to pick
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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Aerospace company, Boeing, announced they are giving $250,000 from their Boeing Charitable Trust to those affected by recent wildfires in Ruidoso, and those affected by Hurricane Beryl in Houston. $50,000 will be going towards the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. The fund will support long-term recovery needs for people,
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RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — A wildfire that burned more than 12 square miles (31.08 square kilometers) in southern New Mexico last month was human caused and two people may be to blame, federal authorities said Monday. The FBI said a man and woman may be linked to a vehicle seen fleeing from at least five
Continue Reading RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — New court documents obtained by ABC-7 indicate that federal investigators are looking into two people who possibly intentionally set the Salt Fire, one of two wildfires that burned thousands of acres in and around Ruidoso and Mescalero Apache, New Mexico in June. The court documents name the two suspects, who
Continue Reading EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The federal government has announced they are sending more relief assistance to New Mexico following recent floods and wildfires in Ruidoso. President Biden announced he has amended the major disaster declaration, which will provide more assistance to Lincoln County Otero County, Mescalero Apache Tribe, and give assistance to Rio Arriba
Continue Reading EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Eight local bands from El Paso are coming together to put on a fundraising benefit concert for Ruidoso residents that have been impacted by recent wildfires and floods. Their goal is to raise $3,000. The concert is happening Sunday, July 14th, at Club 101 located at 4151 N. Mesa St.
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — Many homes and businesses survived the devastating wildfires in Ruidoso last month, only to now be destroyed by intense flooding that’s continuing to hit the region. The Ruidoso Emporium is one of these businesses. The store has been a mainstay for those that live in the village, as well as
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RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Roads throughout a mountain village in southern New Mexico that was recently ravaged by wildfire were closed Tuesday as authorities tried to keep vehicles out of the path of rushing water. Officials in Ruidoso reported that several bridge crossings were closed as mud and debris-laden water could be seen rushing down
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Update: Village officials posted on social media stating that the flooding has caused multiple gas leaks. “Please stay away from gas smells and report the issue to Zia Natural Gas,” the village added. The flooding this afternoon has caused multiple gas leaks throughout the Village. Please stay away from gas smells and report the issue
Continue Reading RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — A lightning strike caused the larger of two wildfires that has killed at least two people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,400 structures in New Mexico, authorities said Wednesday. The South Fork Fire was first reported June 17 on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and forced the evacuation of the Village
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — Investigators say lightning caused the South Fork Fire, which burned thousands of acres in and around Ruidoso. “The identification of the point of origin and all evidence and data support lightning as the cause of the fire,” a Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesperson stated Wednesday. “Human activity and factors did
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ROSWELL, New Mexico (KVIA) — The New Mexico Department of Justice sent cease-and-desist notices to several Roswell hotels accused of price gouging people who had fled from the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire in Ruidoso. The DOJ sent notices to The Baymont by Windham, The Clarion Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Home2 Suites
Continue ReadingRUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — Ruidoso community members have come together to put on a series of community meals this week as the town rebuilds from both the recent wildfires and floods. The village of Ruidoso first announced these meals on their Facebook page. The community meals are free and all Ruidoso residents are welcome.
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — The State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) will hold a Virtual Fire and Flood Recovery Town Hall at 5:30 PM today. Residents and business owners will be able to get information on recovery efforts after the recent fires and flooding in Ruidoso and the surrounding areas. Ruidoso
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Consider donating to help the survivors here.
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RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) — The Village of Ruidoso is asking tourists not to visit, for now. “While our community works tirelessly to recover from the recent fires and flooding, we ask for your understanding and patience,” the village’s tourism department posted to social media today. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Ruidoso—later.
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SANTA FE, New Mexico (KVIA) — New Mexico is now offering a Smokey Bear Fire Prevention license plate. “The Smokey Bear Fire Prevention plate is a special vehicle registration plate that raises money for fire prevention efforts,” a New Mexico Taxation and Revenue spokesperson explained. “It is not available for motorcycles or other vehicle types
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