Residents of a village in New Mexico are facing fear and panic as two wildfires have swept through a nearby mountain range, resulting in evacuations and tragic deaths. The two fires, the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, have converged near Ruidoso, prompting its 7,800 residents to flee their homes. The fires have burned more than 20,000 acres and remain uncontained, causing devastation to the land and property.
One resident, 83-year-old Frank Loya, described the current fire as the most fierce he has experienced in the 19 years he has lived in the area. The fires have led to the loss of more than 1,400 structures and have tragically resulted in two deaths. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency and is deploying all available resources to control the fires.
The fires have been fueled by dry conditions and wind, and the cause of the ignition is still under investigation. The blazes have caused the partial closure of US Highway 70 and phone outages, posing challenges for emergency responders. Nearby communities have opened shelters for evacuees, and the city of Roswell has made hospital space available for patients evacuating from Ruidoso.
In addition to the wildfires, the region is also facing extreme heat, with millions of Americans under heat alerts. The heatwave has led to record high temperatures in some cities, including Chicago. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like heatwaves are linked to human-caused climate change, according to scientists.
Despite the challenging conditions, there is some hope on the horizon as cooler temperatures and rain are predicted, which could help mitigate the fires. However, winds are expected to increase, potentially fueling the blazes further. The community is urged to stay vigilant and seek higher ground in the event of flash floods caused by heavy rain in the burn scar areas.
As wildfires continue to pose a threat to communities across North America, it is important to address the underlying causes of these disasters, including climate change. By reducing activities that contribute to global warming, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, we can work towards mitigating the impact of wildfires and other extreme weather events on our environment and communities.