Government of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham On Tuesday, it was confirmed that at least one person has died as a result of two major wildfires threatening Lincoln and Otero counties.
“As many New Mexicans already know, we are fighting two major fires,” Lujan Grisham said at a news conference in Santa Fe.
Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln and Otero counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, where the South Fork and Salt fires have burned more than 20,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 1,400 structures.
“The men and women who put their lives on the line, including state police and firefighters, (New Mexico National) Guardsmen and women and their families, are doing an incredible job, and the number of New Mexicans who help with livestock, resources and who offering our own homes for shelter shows me once again the generosity and compassion of the people of this state,” said Lujan Grisham.
Watch the press conference with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
One person has died in wildfires in New Mexico
Speaking to KUNM, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said this single death is the only one reported on Tuesday, June 18.
The person’s name has not been released to the media.
The exact circumstances of the person’s death were unclear Tuesday afternoon.
The state of emergency means resources can flow into New Mexico
Lujan Grisham said the emergency declaration “means resources can easily flow into New Mexico.”
Evacuations of affected communities largely successful
Lujan Grisham said about 5,000 individuals (residents of the Village of Ruidoso) have been evacuated, and while many have found shelter, about 500 are in 10 shelters and service centers in Roswell.
The fires had increased significantly since they started and were still not under control, although efforts continued, she said, with 17 federal and state agencies on the scene, 800 personnel involved and 13 wildfire crews.
She pointed to the successful large-scale evacuation of the Village of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Mescalero, in addition to the evacuation of seven patients from a local hospital and 17 residents from a residential facility.
She advised against travel in southeastern New Mexico near the location of the fires, even in areas where roads are open as a precaution.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 1 dead in Ruidoso wildfires; The governor of New Mexico declares a state of emergency
