Governor Martinez Will Tour White Fire Devastation As Crews Continue To Battle Blaze

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez will get a first-hand review of the White Fire?s devastation and relief efforts in Ruidoso Downs Wednesday morning. In the mean time, Governor Martinez said she receives constant updates and can only imagine what residents are experiencing.

“Sure it’s frustrating and it’s infuriating,? she said.

More than 10,340 acres of the lush Lincoln National Forest are now burnt to a crisp, Jennifer Myslivy, fire information officer, said.

“It took a lot of the beauty away from our little village of Ruidoso and it’s just heart-wrenching,” Jessie Yaksich, a resident, said.

Governor Martinez said even after the fire is contained, the impact will be felt by the community for quite some time.

“It’s devastating to them, all their personal belongings that cannot be replaced, not just furniture and items of value, important papers, photographs, things of sentimental value… those are things that are most heart-breaking,? Governor Martinez said.

The blaze ignited Sunday and has since destroyed five homes, officials said.

“The flames were ferocious,? Joel Carothers, a resident, said. ?This is wrong, it’s just wrong where people can be so careless and thoughtless.”

Nearly 500 firefighters are working around the clock to extinguish hot spots in Gavilan Canyon and dig ditches to prevent the human-caused fire from spreading further, Myslivy said.

“Our heart goes out to them,? Governor Martinez said. ?We’re going to try to make it with the Red Cross as easy as possible, it will never be easy, but as easy as possible so they can get back on their feet and rebuild.”

Fire officials said another windy day could hinder containment efforts as the fire continues to smolder the area. Full containment is expected by Saturday, April 9th, but no additional homes appear to be threatened, Myslivy said.

Officials said high winds initially fueled the fire. But the destruction illustrates a lesson all New Mexicans need to learn from, Governor Martinez said.

“We just have to be very careful never to light a fire if it is prohibited at the time because it is just so dry,? Governor Martinez said. ?If you’re not permitted to light a fire at all, do not think you can control it.”

Governor Martinez said money is already being set aside in the state budget specifically for fire assistance as this dry season continues.