At least one person has died in a wildfire in New Mexico that forced thousands of residents to evacuate, the governor's office said Tuesday.
“We have no additional details,” said Michael Coleman, communications director for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Only one death as a result of the fire.”
The governor declared a state of emergency that extends throughout the county and into neighboring tribal lands, and ordered the deployment of National Guard elements after residents complied with evacuation orders on Monday with little time to rescue their belongings.
“We are deploying all available resources to control these fires,” the governor previously stated at a press conference.
“We have no additional details,” said Michael Coleman, communications director for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Only one death as a result of the fire.”
The governor declared a state of emergency that extends throughout the county and into neighboring tribal lands, and ordered the deployment of National Guard elements after residents complied with evacuation orders on Monday with little time to rescue their belongings.
“We are deploying all available resources to control these fires,” the governor previously stated at a press conference.
She added that the magnitude of the fires is beyond local control and requires immediate state intervention to protect public health, safety and well-being.
More than 500 structures have been damaged and all of Ruidoso's 7,000 residents have been evacuated, the governor said. She added that it is unclear how many homes were engulfed by flames, as the extreme fire activity continues to prevent authorities from safely accessing the area to assess the damage.
“It's too dangerous,” she said.
State Forester Laura McCarthy described the fires as “dangerous and fast-moving” with strong winds reaching 20 miles per hour.
She added that the fire exhibits “extreme behavior.” McCarthy explained that a cold front is approaching the area, which will cause rain on Wednesday or Thursday. But she said it was “both good and bad news” because while the rain would be welcome, that would not be the case with the strong winds.
The governor said her state of emergency declaration unlocks additional funds and resources to manage the crisis in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. She added that almost 8,100 hectares have been consumed, an area that exceeds 80 square kilometers.
Christy Hood, a Ruidoso real estate agent, said Monday's evacuation order came with such short notice that she and her husband, Richard, barely had time to take their 11-year-old son, 15-year-old daughter, and their children. two dogs.
“We don't have clothes or a toothbrush,” she said. “We really have nothing.”
More than 500 structures have been damaged and all of Ruidoso's 7,000 residents have been evacuated, the governor said. She added that it is unclear how many homes were engulfed by flames, as the extreme fire activity continues to prevent authorities from safely accessing the area to assess the damage.
“It's too dangerous,” she said.
State Forester Laura McCarthy described the fires as “dangerous and fast-moving” with strong winds reaching 20 miles per hour.
She added that the fire exhibits “extreme behavior.” McCarthy explained that a cold front is approaching the area, which will cause rain on Wednesday or Thursday. But she said it was “both good and bad news” because while the rain would be welcome, that would not be the case with the strong winds.
The governor said her state of emergency declaration unlocks additional funds and resources to manage the crisis in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. She added that almost 8,100 hectares have been consumed, an area that exceeds 80 square kilometers.
Christy Hood, a Ruidoso real estate agent, said Monday's evacuation order came with such short notice that she and her husband, Richard, barely had time to take their 11-year-old son, 15-year-old daughter, and their children. two dogs.
“We don't have clothes or a toothbrush,” she said. “We really have nothing.”