Terrifying footage of a wildfire ripping across the the small town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, shows the terror under which its residents are currently living.
Since Monday, the small town, nestled among several Indian Reservations, has been under an expansive evacuation order that applies to most, if not all of the town's residents.
Officials ordered the evacuation thatevening: 'GO NOW: Do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home. Evacuate immediately,' authorities write across social media.
The village's public service company turned off electricity to part of the town because of the fire.
Hot ash from the massive flames was blowing over to parts of the nearby Alto community. Those residents were asked to call 911 if they spotted any hot ash or active flames.
The wildfire in Ruidoso, New Mexico, that triggered an evacuation on Monday continues to rage
Smoke from the South Fork Fire covers the sun, casting an orange light across the Lincoln National Forest at Cedar Creek, in Ruidoso, New Mexico
State police have also reported that they are experiencing some phone outages, which may impact their ability to respond to emergency calls.
The city of Roswell, which is about 70 miles east of Ruidoso, has beenaccommodating evacuees and hospitalspace has been made available for patients who are being relocated from the Ruidoso hospital.
Emergency shelters for people and livestock have been set up.
Another clip on X shows overnight scenes at a gas station some 30 minutes outside Ruidoso, where people were filmed fueling up and taking off after the mandatory evacuation was ordered.
The Village of Ruidoso Facebook group has been updating its residents about the fire, and is offering information about where to seek shelter.
Map shows evacuation route from Ruidoso to Roswell, as Highways 48 and 70 at Apache Summit remain closed due to the wildfires
Smoke plumes from the South Fork Fire rise above the tree line as the fire progresses from the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation to the Lincoln National Forest causing mandatory evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico on Monday
According to the Village of Ruidoso Fire Department's website, the fire started on the Mescalero Apache reservation, several miles outside the village's limits. The tribal president subsequently issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.
A second blaze, the Salt Fire, is also burning on tribal land south of Ruidoso.
Though Ruidoso has a population of around 7,663 people, according to a current US Census estimate, it attracts recreational tourists.The village estimates around 60 percent of its houses are vacation homes.
Multiple air quality alerts have been issued in and around Ruidoso, and extending into neighboring cities and towns.
More than two decades ago, FEMA designated Ruidoso as a high-risk area, because of the thick forests that surround it. Wildfires fueled by the forested areas could lead to 'catastrophic' damage.
A USDA Forest Service firefighter and volunteers from surrounding towns coordinate to rescue animals trapped at a property in Cedar Creek, where the South Fork Fire prompted evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico,
People arrive at an emergency shelter where university and local officials set up cots and other Red Cross resources for those under evacuation orders
Charlie Barron holds his head in his hands after settling in at an emergency shelter where university and local officials set up cots and other Red Cross resources
USDA Forest Service firefighter Andres Bolanos makes a phone call while watching flames from the South Fork Fire spread across the Lincoln National Forest in Ruidoso, New Mexico
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a post on X: 'My administration is in close contact with state, tribal and federal officials about the status of these fast-moving fires near Ruidoso, and we are quickly deploying as many resources as possible to protect people and property'.
She also urged residents to 'remain calm and heed official instructions to help minimize risk.'
'I want to thank all first responders and others who are battling these fires, managing the evacuation and providing crucial emergency services, including the town of Roswell which rapidly stood up shelter for evacuees. New Mexicans always pull together in times of need, and this time is no different', she added.
The wildfires tearing across the New Mexico are not the only ones currently terrorizing parts of the west the west. Los Angeles County is battling a 15,000 acre blaze- and wildfire season is only just beginning in northern California, where several wildfires have already disrupted residents this summer.
