The University of New Mexico's athletic department is collecting donations for those affected by this week's deadly fires in Ruidoso, and will bring the entire football team and other student-athletes to the town in south central New Mexico next Thursday to assist with aid.
“The fires in the Ruidoso area are devastating, UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez said in a release. “In talking with our state’s leadership, we want to help in any way that we can. Our uniforms say New Mexico, and we proudly represent the entire state. Our friends in Ruidoso need our help, and we are only too happy to show our support and do what we can. We know they are going to need workers and support personnel to help, as our football team is ready to help.”
Fans are encouraged to bring items such as toilet paper, toothbrushes, cleaning supplies, soaps, shampoos and paper towels to the Stadium West parking lot for donation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Canned goods and other non-perishable items will also be accepted.
UNM's athletic department is one of many local organizations soliciting donations for those affected by the fires in Ruidoso. The full list of organizations is included here.
Here are all of our photos of the South Fork Fire that's burned thousands of acres around Ruidoso
Smoke from the South Fork Fire reflects a pink hue during sunrise Tuesday as law enforcement officers turn drivers away on N.M. 48 at N.M. 220 because of wildfires burning near Ruidoso. The South Fork Fire has consumed nearly 14,000 acres.Chancey Bush
Smoke from the South Fork Fire reflects a pink hue during sunrise Tuesday as law enforcement officers shut down N.M. 48 at N.M. 220 north of Ruidoso. The South Fork Fire has consumed nearly 14,000 acres, according to the New Mexico State Forestry Division.Chancey Bush
A wild horse crosses N.M. 48 north of Ruidoso on Tuesday in the area of the South Fork Fire.Chancey Bush
Smoke rises from the South Fork Fire north of Ruidoso on Tuesday.Chancey Bush
A fire truck drives on New Mexico State Road 48 towards the South Fork Fire near Ruidoso, N.M., on Tuesday. The South Fork Fire has consumed nearly 14,000 acres,according to a New Mexico State Forestry Division news release.Chancey Bush
A dog rides on a tool box in the back of a truck on N.M. 48 north of Ruidoso on Tuesday.Chancey Bush
An airtanker soarsthrough a large plume of smoke over and around areas in the Village of Ruidoso on Tuesday.Chancey Bush
An air tanker drops fire retardant called slurry over and around areas in the Village of Ruidoso on Tuesday.Chancey Bush
Annalecie Nave, 7, looks at her new puzzle she picked out while staying inside the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell gym on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.Chancey Bush
Rick Daniel, 71, reads a Tom Clancy book inside the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell gym on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Daniel, who is living in his RV, had to leave his home on wheels behind. The gym is being used as an evacuation center for people who have been displaced by fires in and around Ruidoso.Chancey Bush
Horse care evacuated from the village of Ruidoso, N.M., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.Chancey Bush
Jose Robles, who is a Ruidoso resident and evacuee, watches plumes of smoke billow as aircrafts combat the wildfires over and around the village of Ruidoso, N.M., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.Chancey Bush
Ruidoso resident Joel R. Balderrama took this photo of the flames looking west toward Sierra Blanca about 6 p.m. Monday before evacuating with his parents. A real estate broker, the 30-year resident was outside the White Mountain Recreation Complex in Ruidoso at the time helping a friend move vehicles to a safe place. The clouds in the lower center of the photo were reflecting the sunset.Courtesy of Joel R. Balderrama
Kelsy Bagron holds her 5-year-old box terrier Gypsy as she talks to her father, Mike Dvorak, inside the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell gym. The gym is being used as an evacuation center for people who have been displaced by fires in and around Ruidoso.Gregory R.C. Hasman
Dave Millsap stands next to his Jeep outside an evacuation center in Carrizozo on Tuesday morning. Millsap was one of thousands of people to evacuate because of fires in the Ruidoso area.Gregory R.C. Hasman
Ruidoso resident Dave Millsap photographed fiery smoke near his home on Monday.Courtesy of Dave Millsap
Smoke from a wildfire rises over Ruidoso on Monday. Residents of the mountain village of about 8,000 residents fled their homes under evacuation orders with little time to rescue belongings.Jacquie Escajeda via Associated Press
Smoke from a wildfire rises over trees in Ruidoso on Monday.Jacquie Escajeda via Associated Press
The Village of Ruidoso told residents to evacuate on Monday evening. The only evacuation route is on Sudderth to Highway 70 out to Roswell.Discover Ruidoso
A photo taken in Ruidoso about 7 p.m. Monday. Nancy Levy took the photo shortly before she and her son fled to Roswell.Courtesy of Nancy Levy
Trainer John Stinebaugh inspects his horses after evacuating them from Ruidoso Downs to Artesia, N.M., Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Strong wind pushed the larger of two wildfires into the mountain village of Ruidoso, forcing residents to flee. One person was killed and hundreds of structures were damaged. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)Andres Leighton
Ardis Holder, center, and her daughters Adalene, left, and Analece spend the night at a shelter in Roswell, N.M., after evacuating from Ruidoso, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled the mountainous village as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through homes and other buildings. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)Andres Leighton
A car rides on the road to Roswell as smoke from a wildfire partially blocks the sun near the village of Ruidoso in June. Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled the mountainous village as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through homes and other buildings.AP Photo
A couple from Ruidoso, N.M. camps at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Roswell, N.M., Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Strong wind pushed the larger of two wildfires into the mountain village of Ruidoso, forcing residents to flee. One person was killed and hundreds of structures were damaged. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)Andres Leighton
The Salt Fire as seen from Ruidoso on June 19.Chancey Bush
Glowing hot spots from the Salt Fire can be seen from Ruidoso on June 19Chancey Bush
Flames from the Salt Fire can be seen from Ruidoso on June 19Chancey Bush
Authorities believe a couple may be responsible for setting the Salt Fire and other blazes around the Mescalero reservation. The Salt Fire as seen from Ruidoso on June 19.Chancey Bush
Burned remains of vehicles and homes near Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
Chezarae Chavez directs people to the Allsup’s in Hondo as they leave Ruidoso Downs after a run by the Salt Fire in the evening. "We’re one last ones here with food, with gas," she said.Danielle Prokop
Allsup’s at Hondo sold and handed out more than 1,000 burritos and chimichangas Tuesday, as waves of evacuees came down the Sacramento mountains, fleeing from Alto, Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs as fires encroached and burned over 1,400 buildings.Danielle Prokop
Dylan Vilas with his kitten, Obi, fled from Ruidoso Downs on Tuesday.Danielle Prokop
Dylan Vilas holds his kitten, Obi-Wan, at the Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds in Roswell on Wednesday. Vilas with his kitten and six dogs are seeking shelter at the fairgrounds after being evacuated by the wildfires in Ruidoso.Chancey Bush
Allen Hanley, a resident of Ruidoso, Is reunited with his dog Mochi at the Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds in Roswell, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
Christina Waldrop, program facilitator for placement and rescue at Bernalillo County Animal Care Services, hugs Ruidoso resident Rhonda Hanley after Hanley’s son was reunited with his dog Mochi, at the Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds in Roswell on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
Allen Hanley, a resident of Ruidoso, is reunited with his dog Mochi with Christina Waldrop, program facilitator for placement and rescue at Bernalillo County Animal Care Services, at the Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds in Roswell on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
A flash flood swept through River Ranch RV Park in Ruidoso Downs on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
A home burned by the South Fork Fire near Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso on Wednesday. The village announced on Saturday morning that full-time residents will be allowed back in at 8 a.m. Monday.Chancey Bush
A flame continues to burn from remains of a structure on Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
A U.S. Forest Service wildland fire vehicle drives past the remains of a home in Ruidoso on Wednesday. Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs full-time residents will get a chance to go see their homes and properties on Monday morning.Chancey Bush
Charred trees near Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
The South Fork Fire continues to burn in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
A National Guard vehicle in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
Burned children’s bicycles at a residence on Gavilan Canyon Road from the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
A burned speed limit sign next to a fire hydrant on Gavilan Canyon RoadChancey Bush
A burned down home and remains of a truck from the South Fork Fire on Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso, N.M., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.Chancey Bush
This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows wildfires burning near Ruidoso, N.M. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)HONS
