Ruidoso fires largely contained on Friday

Firefighters had largely contained two fires in the Ruidoso area on Friday with the help of continued rainfall through the week.

The South Fork Fire northwest of Ruidoso was 73% contained on Friday, having scorched 17,569 acres, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team reported.

The Salt Fire south of Ruidoso was 71% contained with a burn area of 7,939 acres, according to the team’s update on Friday.

The South Fork and Salt fires experienced limited fire activity as storms moved over the area on Thursday,” the update said. “With those storms, several lightning strikes occurred, causing one confirmed fire, which crews suppressed immediately after discovery.”

More rain is predicted over the weekend, raising the possibility of flash flooding.

“Much of the fire area will continue a slight drying trend until isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms return,” the update said. “Rain chances increase again on Saturday, with slow moving storms capable of producing high rain rates and flash floods.”

Fire managers warned people reentering the area that firefighters and utility crews continue to work in Upper Canyon and Cedar Creek.

Smoke will continue to have an impact, particularly in the overnight and morning hours for areas including Ruidoso, Carrizozo and Ruidoso Downs.

Evacuation sites on the Mescalero Apache Reservation will close operations on Sunday. They include the Mescalero Community Center and Inn of the Mountain Gods convention center.

Donations and tribal distribution of donated items will continue from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily at convention center.