New Mexico

5,000 under evacuation orders as New Mexico wildfire rages

Published

3 years ago

April 16, 2022

5,000 under evacuation orders as New Mexico wildfire rages

(AP) – Douglas Siddens’ mom was amongst those that made it out with simply the garments on her again when a lethal, wind-fueled wildfire ripped by a mountain group in southern New Mexico.

The RV park the place she lived was diminished to “metallic body rails and metal wheels,” stated Siddens, who managed the location

“I had like 10 folks displaced. They misplaced their houses and all the pieces, together with my mother,” he stated.

The hearth has destroyed greater than 200 houses and killed two folks because it broke out Tuesday close to the village Ruidoso, a trip spot that pulls hundreds of vacationers and horse racing followers each summer season.

Tons of of houses and summer season cabins dot the encompassing mountainsides. The RV park that Siddens managed is close to the place an aged couple was discovered useless this week exterior their charred residence.

Elsewhere within the U.S., crews have been battling giant fires this week in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado, the place a brand new blaze pressured evacuations Friday alongside the Rocky Mountain’s jap entrance close to Lyons about 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Boulder.

That fireplace was burning within the Blue Mountains close to the Larimer-Boulder county line about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Estes Park, the east entrance to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.

In New Mexico, energy was restored to all however a couple of hundred prospects, however evacuation orders for shut to five,000 folks remained in place.

Donations poured in from surrounding communities all too aware of simply how devastating wildfires will be.

It was a decade in the past that fireplace ripped by a part of the village of Ruidoso, placing the holiday spot on the map with essentially the most harmful wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded historical past when greater than 240 houses burned and practically 70 sq. miles (181 sq. kilometers) of forest had been blackened by a lightning-sparked blaze.

On Friday, Mayor Lynn Crawford was rallying heartbroken residents as soon as once more as firefighters tried to maintain wind-whipped flames from making one other run on the village. She stated the response from their neighbors has been superb.

“So we now have loads of meals, we now have loads of garments, these sorts of issues however we nonetheless respect and wish your prayers and your ideas,” the mayor stated throughout a briefing. “Once more, our hearts exit to the household of the deceased, to people who have misplaced their houses.”

Authorities have but to launch the names of the couple who died. Their our bodies had been discovered after nervous members of the family contacted police, saying the couple had deliberate to evacuate Tuesday when the fireplace exploded however had been unaccounted for later that day.

Whereas many older residents name Ruidoso dwelling 12 months spherical, the inhabitants of about 8,000 folks expands to about 25,000 through the summer season months as Texans and New Mexicans from hotter climates search respite.

Followers additionally flock to Ruidoso Downs, dwelling to one of many sport’s richest quarter-horse competitions. The racing season was anticipated to start out Might 27, and horses that board there aren’t in any hazard as fireplace officers use the ability as a staging floor.

Half-time residents have taken to social media over the previous few days, pleading with fireplace officers for updates on sure neighborhoods, hoping their household cabins weren’t amongst these broken or destroyed.

The hotlines lit up Friday afternoon as folks within the village referred to as in to report extra smoke. Fireplace info officer Mike DeFries stated that was as a result of there have been flare-ups inside the inside of the fireplace because the flames discovered pockets of unburned gas.

Whereas the fireplace didn’t make any runs on the strains crews had established, he stated it was nonetheless a tricky day for firefighters attributable to single-digit humidity, hotter temperatures and the wind.

Authorities reiterated that it was nonetheless too early to start out letting folks in to see the harm. They requested for endurance as fireplace crews put out scorching spots and tried to construct a stronger perimeter across the blaze.

“It’s nonetheless an lively fireplace space in there and it’s not a secure place,” DeFries stated. “It’s going to require endurance. On the similar time, each step that we’re taking is designed to suppress this hearth and to get folks again dwelling as quickly as attainable.”

New Mexico authorities stated they think the fireplace, which has torched greater than 9.5 sq. miles (24 sq. kilometers) of forest and grass, was sparked by a downed energy line and the investigation continued Friday.

Hotter and drier climate coupled with a long time of fireside suppression have contributed to a rise within the variety of acres burned by wildfires, fireplace scientists say. The issue is exacerbated by a greater than 20-year Western megadrought that research hyperlink to human-caused local weather change.

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Cedar Attanasio contributed reporting from Santa Fe. Attanasio is a corps member for the Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on under-covered points.

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Related Topics:000 people 5 deadly blaze Evacuation orders Featured New Mexico wildfires

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New Mexico

Transfer running back Mike Washington signs with Arkansas

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Transfer running back Mike Washington signs with Arkansas

Junior New Mexico State transfer running back Mike Washington has signed with Arkansas, he announced Saturday morning.

A 6-foot-2, 215-pound native of New York, Washington rushed for 725 yards and eight touchdowns on 157 carries (4.6 YPC) in 2024. He also caught nine passes for 74 yards with a score.

His best performance of the season came against Western Kentucky on Nov. 9, when he ran the ball 19 times for a season-high 152 yards with two touchdowns.

Before joining the Aggies, Washington spent three seasons at Buffalo, where he accumulated 1,119 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Washington committed to Utah through the transfer portal Dec. 15, but a visit to Arkansas seemingly made him rethink his decision.

2023 (Sophomore – Buffalo) Had 4 starts in 11 game appearances… ranked 2nd on the team for rushing (362 yards on 90 carries)… scored 2 rushing touchdowns… 13 receptions for 35 yards… had 12 carries for 52 yards vs. Wisconsin… rushed for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding two receptions vs. Fordham… had a season-best of four receptions vs. Liberty… rushed a season-high 88 yards vs. Louisiana… rushed for 39 yards vs. Bowling Green… rushed for 35 yards and added a reception vs. Eastern Michigan.

2022 (Redshirt Freshman – Buffalo) Had 2 starts in 13 game appearances… led the Bulls in rushing with 625 yards and a team-high seven rushing touchdowns… 23 receptions for 135 yards and a score… rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown vs. Holy Cross… rushed for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns vs. Eastern Michigan… Rushed for 36 yards and a score vs. Miami… A season best of 155 yards rushed and two touchdowns, including a 92-yarder vs. Bowling Green (2nd longest run in program history)… receiving touchdown vs. Ohio… rushed 41 yards and a touchdown vs. Central Michigan… had a season-high of eight receptions vs. Akron.

2021 (Freshman – Buffalo) Appeared in 3 games… rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries… 13 carries for 65 yards vs. Wagner… 9 carries for 53 yards vs. Akron… 14-yard touchdown run vs. Bowling Green.

High School Junior season he earned All-State honors after rushing for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns… Played defense and had 31 tackles with three interceptions… named All-CNY and MVP of the Regional Championship Game.

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New Mexico

Let’s pass the Clear Horizons Act for a thriving New Mexico

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Let’s pass the Clear Horizons Act for a thriving New Mexico

Sen. Mimi Stewart
| New Mexico Senate Pro Tempore

New Mexico stands at a pivotal moment with a historic opportunity to secure a sustainable future that protects our air, land, water, and communities for generations. Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s already devastating our way of life, endangering lives, homes, and livelihoods. We can no longer afford a “wait and see” approach.

This past summer, the village of Ruidoso faced a nightmare. Residents evacuated as the Southfork Fire encroached, transforming a short drive into hours of terror. Though firefighters’ heroic efforts spared the town, not all communities have been so lucky. In 2022, the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fires destroyed over 630 homes, and caused more than $4 billion in damage. Recently, Roswell saw a quarter of its annual rainfall in just a few hours, causing severe flooding, breaking a 123-year record, and claiming two lives. These events are not isolated. In the past two years, one in three New Mexico counties has experienced devastating fire and flood damage, highlighting the growing threat of climate change.

New Mexico has long been committed to protecting our natural resources. We’ve led the nation with aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets through executive orders, and the 2019 Energy Transition Act set ambitious clean electricity goals. However, we’re falling short, and without a comprehensive, long-term plan, we risk losing the New Mexican way of life we cherish. Our progress has slowed at a time when urgency is critical. To protect communities like Ruidoso, Mora, and Roswell from climate impacts, we must act now. We need a comprehensive framework to guide us toward a resilient, clean future.

That’s why, in the next legislative session, I’m sponsoring three key bills: the Clear Horizons Act, the Community Benefit Fund, and the New Mexico Innovation in Government Act. These bills will help create a New Mexico where families don’t have to flee from wildfires, where livelihoods are not lost to drought, and where we develop the workforce and infrastructure needed to address these challenges.

The Clear Horizons Act will establish a clear roadmap for the future, providing the regulatory certainty that businesses, communities, and families need to invest in a sustainable, clean future. Many New Mexico companies have already voluntarily pledged to meet emissions reduction targets similar to those outlined in the bill. By setting achievable greenhouse gas reduction targets and regularly evaluating progress, we can stay on track while adapting to emerging challenges.

The Community Benefit Fund, with immediate funding from state budget surpluses, will invest in local, community-driven projects that reduce emissions, create jobs, and build resilience. Priority will be given to overburdened communities most affected by climate change, like Ruidoso and Mora. This fund will support efforts such as rebuilding after fires, safeguarding water supplies, and transitioning to renewable energy, ensuring that local solutions drive New Mexico’s sustainable future.

The New Mexico Innovation in Government Act will build the state’s capacity to lead the clean energy transition. By investing in the resources, talent, and expertise within state agencies, we can ensure efficient implementation of clean energy projects. This will empower public servants to lead New Mexico toward a cleaner, more resilient future.

The time to act is now. If we fail to act, more communities will face devastation. But if we rise to the occasion, New Mexico can lead the way to a brighter, more resilient future for all. Let’s pass the Clear Horizons Act and ensure a sustainable future for New Mexico.

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