Ruidoso, New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in New Mexico as two wildfires engulf a mountain range, leading to several evacuations and tragically claiming one life. The fires, known as the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, have ripped through nearly 20,000 acres of land and remain uncontained, posing a significant threat to the community.

The South Fork Fire, originating on Mescalero Apache tribal land, rapidly expanded overnight, while the Salt Fire burned south of the village of Ruidoso. The situation prompted the evacuation of 7,800 residents from the village, with officials urging immediate departure without attempting to gather belongings.

The devastation caused by the fires has been immense, with approximately 500 structures destroyed, most of them homes. Dry conditions and strong winds have fueled the fires, prompting concerns about their containment. The exact cause of the fires is currently under investigation.

Emergency responders in Ruidoso have faced challenges due to phone outages caused by the fires, hindering communication and coordination efforts. Nearby communities have mobilized to open shelters for evacuees, while the city of Roswell has prepared hospital space for patients evacuated from Ruidoso.

As wildfires continue to ravage parts of the United States, firefighters in California are battling another wildfire north of Los Angeles, forcing widespread evacuations. Multiple factors, including extreme weather events and human-induced climate change, contribute to the increasingly frequent and intense wildfires experienced globally.

The current heatwave gripping parts of the US has exacerbated wildfire conditions, with record high temperatures recorded in several cities. As such extreme weather events become more common, experts emphasize the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of wildfires and address the underlying causes of climate change.