Lightning Sparks 3 Fires Around Ruidoso, New Mexico

The Bureau of Land Management confirmed firefighters were battling three fires in the High Country Tuesday afternoon. Authorities told ABC-7 they suspect lightning sparked the fires.

Air resources were being sent to a fire burning 12 miles east of Mescalero, New Mexico, which authorities are dubbing the “Number 3 Fire.” As of midday Tuesday, it was unknown how many acres have been burned.

Another fire is burning 25 miles east of Mescalero near Hondo. The so-called “Donaldson Fire” has burned 800 acres as of Tuesday afternoon.

The third fire is 10 miles south of Hondo, and is called the “Game Fire.” Authorities tell ABC-7 it has burned 420 acres.

Hondo is 26 miles east of Ruidoso. Mescalero is about 18 miles southwest of the village.

A spokesman for the BLM said Tuesday afternoon no structures were being threatened by any of the 3 fires.