– New Mexico region affected by wildfires and floods
– Impact of rain and floods on New Mexico region ravaged by wildfires.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Severe weather conditions have exacerbated the situation in southern New Mexico, where two fast-moving wildfires, the South Fork and Salt fires, have been raging, leading to the tragic loss of two lives. The heavy rain and flash flooding that hit the area on Wednesday provided some relief to firefighters, but the blazes are expected to continue for several days, according to officials.
The wildfires, which started this week amidst extreme heat, have already forced the evacuation of thousands of people and have scorched over 23,000 acres of land. The South Fork fire, the larger of the two, has burned more than 16,000 acres and destroyed 1,400 structures, including around 500 homes, as reported by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
Tragically, the New Mexico police confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the fires. One victim, identified as Patrick Pearson, 60, was found near a motel with burns, while the other victim was discovered in a burned vehicle on a road near the village of Ruidoso, N.M.
Challenges Faced Amidst Heavy Rainfall
Despite the rainfall that reached the area, temperatures remained high before the storm hit, with the National Weather Service reporting torrential rain in the Ruidoso region. The sudden downpour led to floodwaters surging down slopes from nearby burn scars, prompting water rescues and causing an extremely hazardous situation.
Officials in Ruidoso had to cease operations in certain areas due to the flood warnings, evacuating individuals to higher ground. Firefighters, both in the air and on the ground, continued their efforts to contain the fires, but the situation remained critical.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham highlighted the risks posed by the heavy rain, with multiple flood rescues already carried out. The damage caused by the fires was described as one of the most devastating in New Mexico’s history.
Unaccounted Individuals and Evacuations
As the fires continued to burn, several individuals remained unaccounted for, prompting concerns among authorities. Governor Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to the ongoing crisis.
Over 528 people sought refuge at emergency shelters set up by the Red Cross, with support services including meals, emotional assistance, and relief supplies being provided. The organisation also dispatched additional disaster response teams to aid those affected by the wildfires.
The South Fork fire was first detected in the Mescalero Apache tribal area on Monday, followed by the Salt fire a few miles away. By Tuesday evening, approximately 8,000 individuals had been evacuated from Ruidoso and its surrounding areas, as per New Mexico’s forestry division.
Despite the challenges posed by the rain and flooding, officials are bracing for the fires to continue burning in the days ahead. Melanie Stansbury, representing New Mexico’s First Congressional District, emphasised the need for ongoing vigilance and support for affected communities.
Contributions to this report were made by Victor Mather and Aimee Ortiz.
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– Rain and floods in New Mexico region ravaged by wildfires
– New Mexico region hit by rain and floods after wildfires.
