Fast-spreading wildfires force evacuation of New Mexico town

Two wildfires that have scorched about 19,000 acres in less than 24 hours forced the evacuation of the New Mexico mountain town of Ruidoso. The urgent evacuation led to a traffic jam as people fled on the main road out. So far, an estimated 500 structures have been damaged in the wildfires. Omar Villafranca has the latest.

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[bendayhoe]

That's a beautiful part of New Mexico and I hope everyone stays safe, and that the firefighters are able to quickly contain those fires.

[tomcoryell]

Praying for the residents of Ruidoso. I love that area!

[suzevidz]

I live in Roswell and this is heartbreaking. Everyone here and in the other nearby towns are doing all they can to help evacuees. 😢

[Andy-vtsl]

Watch Duty reporting now over 1, 400 structures burned now (2230 hours Mountain time). So sad. Beautiful country, and great people suffering from this.

[callieprice]

Rumors going around the county is that it was arson. 4 teenagers. 2 have been arrested. Pray for Ruidoso and our Lincoln National Forrest.

[Cam_Fasching]

You are amazing, New Mexico. Stay safe, stay aware. God Bless You. ❤❤

[JeremiahGrace-ttwj]

Migrant campfires are not being extinguished properly after cooking in the wilderness is starting these fires.

[johndunn]

"five fires" ???
What's starting these fires?

[goldseekersadventures]

Somebody is lighting those fires deliberately

[redleezure]

I believe that is where Smokey the Bear was rescued, or close to there.

[Pupeyes]

Five fires started in ruidoso? That place is small. I don’t remember the last time that five fires started that close together even in California. This doesn’t sound right. Unless it was windy and fires were started with burning debris?

[landonleathers]

That's so sad 😢 I used to live in Roswell and would spend just about every weekend up in Ruidoso hiking camping going to the inn of the mountain gods and it's a truly breathtaking beautiful place to see it going up in flames is just gut wrenching praying they can get it under control relatively soon much love from Packers nation ❤

[michaeldeierhoi]

I drove through Ruidiso just a month ago coming back from a roadtrip to Ohio. I have often thought that this town was at risk for a serious fire as it is surrounded by forest.

Ruidiso is a high mountain town at 7000 ft and a pop. of 8000 which triples in size in summer with tourists and many who have cabins for summer homes. Plus there the Mescalero Apache Res. is right next to the town with a race track and casinos.

[lindahoffman]

It dries out quicker there and brush caught fires. It's still wet and green in Oregon 😊😊

[dionsanchez]

Flashbacks of the calf canyon fire 2 years ago in Las Vegas and mora 😢

[getplaning]

It's RUIDOSO, not RIO-DOSO, come on, people.

[leemccabemccabe]

Hot as the SUN Wet like the RAIN Electric Dreams worldwide 🇬🇧 🗽 2024 🙏

[morrisparrish]

Did you really think the disasters would stop with rain?

[sherryhosier]

God. Will. Pervide. At. His. Will. But. Got. To. Beleave. In. His. Powers

[jameshoeve]

Thank you ExxonMobil and all you fossil fuel corporations.