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7,000 residents of Ruidoso, New Mexico ordered to evacuate due to wildfire: ‘GO NOW’

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7,000 residents of Ruidoso, New Mexico ordered to evacuate due to wildfire: ‘GO NOW’


Several areas of southern New Mexico have been ordered to evacuate after a fast-moving wildfire spread across the state on Monday.

Authorities for the village of Ruidoso issued a mandatory “GO” evacuation order due to the South Fork Fire, telling residents to evacuate immediately without attempting to collect their belongings or protect their homes.

Other areas under evacuation orders span Mescalero, Otero and Lincoln counties including Rudioso Downs, Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Ponderosa Heights, Alpine Village, Cedar Creek, Lower Eagle Creek, Alto Lakes, Sonterra 1, 2 and 3, West Gavilan, Sun Valley, Sierra Vista, Villa Madonna and Ski Run Road.

Authorities are urging residents to evacuate using Highway 70, in the direction of Roswell.

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The fire started on Monday around 9am on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, where officials have declared a state of emergency in response to the blaze.

The South Fork Fire burns on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. It later engulfed the Lincoln National Forest causing mandatory evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico on 17 June 2024. Thousands of residents have been evacuated
The South Fork Fire burns on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. It later engulfed the Lincoln National Forest causing mandatory evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico on 17 June 2024. Thousands of residents have been evacuated (REUTERS)

The area is home to over 7,000 residents. An estimated 500 structures have been impacted so far. The Public Service Company of New Mexico shut off electricity to part of Ruidoso due to the fire. The decision affected 778 customers, the provider said in a Facebook post.

“Public safety is a top priority and we do not take this decision lightly but are doing all we can to work in lockstep with our first responders who are helping the communities who are impacted,” the utility provider wrote.

The South Fork Fire had burned over 13,000 acres on Monday, and another blaze, dubbed the Salt Fire, has destroyed 4,000 acres. Both fires are currently at 0 per cent containment. A team specialized in handling multiple fires will be taking over command of the firefighting on Tuesday afternoon, according to the municipal website of the village of Ruidoso.

Weather conditions on Tuesday are expected to be similar to Monday with 15-20mph winds, and low humidity with officials planning “massive” air attacks. Officials have described the conditions as “near critical fire weather”. Authorities have set up several emergency shelters and animal shelters in response to the blaze.

The Red Cross has reported 270 individuals checked in to shelters in Roswell, and 120 in Capitan, according to New Mexico fire agencies. Further evacuation numbers will be released once an approximate count has been generated.

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The Village of Ruidoso is closed for mandatory evacuation. Roads are now closed into town. Persons are requested to stay away from the area.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said that her office is working closely with state, tribal and federal officials and is deploying as many resources as they can.

“I strongly urge residents or Ruidoso and the surrounding areas to remain calm and heed official instructions to help minimize risk,” she said.

“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.”



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New Mexico

AFR crews rescue hiker stranded in Sandia Mountains

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AFR crews rescue hiker stranded in Sandia Mountains


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque Fire Rescue crews rescued a lost hiker who called them reporting he had no more food, water or additional warm clothing with him.

The call came in Thursday night at 8:17 p.m. The hiker reported he was off-trail and couldn’t move due to the tough terrain.

AFR dispatched a team to conduct a backcountry rescue. Then, AFR’s Heavy Technical Rescue team contacted New Mexico State Police’s Search and Rescue team and worked with open space teams from APD and BCSO.

Finally, around 12:30 a.m. Friday, they reached the hiker with food and water. Rescue members hiked out with him and found he wasn’t injured.

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According to AFR, all units returned from the field by around 4 a.m.



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New Mexico

Los Poblanos hotel receives 2 Michelin keys

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Los Poblanos hotel receives 2 Michelin keys


While many New Mexicans already know about Los Poblanos, the 25-acre inn with gardens, fields and farming is finally giving New Mexico some national recognition.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – While many New Mexicans already know about Los Poblanos, the 25-acre inn with gardens, fields and farming is finally giving New Mexico some national recognition. 

“They spent the last four years compiling information on the best hotels in the United States and came up with a new concept on Michelin keys,” said Matthew Rembe, an executive director of Los Poblanos.  

Los Poblanos was just named a Michelin two key hotel. It’s a recognition that Rembe never expected.  

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“We are a unique experience, and we were happy that New Mexico was recognized. Sometimes New Mexico is overlooked in things like this. We are happy for New Mexico, and we were certainly humbled, so it is exciting,” said Rembe. 

Each place is judged on five categories: Architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall character, value for the price and guest experience.   

“New Mexico has the oldest architecture in the United States and Los Poblanos has a couple of different examples of important architecture, kind of agricultural old dairy buildings. The other is territory revival by John Gaw Meem and that is what sets up apart from other states, that New Mexican-style of architecture,” Rembe said.  

This is only the second time the Michelin guide has announced Michelin key hotels.

Rembe hopes it gives people the opportunity to visit the Land of Enchantment and see everything that New Mexico has to offer. 

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“They can disconnect from their phones and technology and just kind of chill and relax and take in New Mexican culture. It always brings people back, I think New Mexico always exceeds their expectations because they have certain ideas on what the experience is going to be like,” said Rembe.  

Los Poblanos got two keys, but there was another inn that got one key in New Mexico. That’s the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe. 



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New Mexico

Student podcast focuses on gun violence in Albuquerque 

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Student podcast focuses on gun violence in Albuquerque 


We’ve seen school threats cause lockdowns at campuses surrounded by police, and a handful of students are facing charges. That includes three metro teens accused of bringing guns on campus.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – We’ve seen school threats cause lockdowns at campuses surrounded by police, and a handful of students are facing charges. That includes three metro teens accused of bringing guns on campus. 

Now, a group of teens is more than ready to have very grown-up conversations.

“It’s a really amazing way to help us spread awareness on how many youths and how many of us have been killed throughout our state and everywhere around the world,” said Briana Salazar, a college freshman.

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Kaery Camacho and Salazar are just two of about 20 New Mexico students launching a new podcast series called “Aimed At Us.”

“Having experienced it, you always now have in mind in the back of your head, what if it will happen again?” said Salazar. 

Before Salazar started college, she had already experienced a school shooting.

“There was two male students, and they had a confrontation with each other, and one of the male students pulled out his gun and unfortunately killed the other student, and it was right in front of our school,” Salazar said. 

Camacho argues even if students haven’t gone through a shooting, many of them live with that potential fear. 

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“You’re not even safe at your school anymore,” Camacho said.

They both believe this podcast will give them and other students the chance to finally share their thoughts, worries, and ideas on what has become a continuous problem in New Mexico. 

“They don’t want to listen to us, you know, like we’re the ones who are getting affected the most. We should be able to speak our truths,” said Camacho. 

They plan on tackling all angles of the teen gun violence epidemic, speaking to people connected to both sides of the trigger. 

“We are interviewing people who have been affected with gun violence, or people who have done gun violence, and see how that changed their lives and affected it, and how they’re doing better in their lives,” Camacho said.

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New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence is backing the effort and paying the students on the podcast.

“They’re deciding who they want to interview. So it’s not us. We’re just kind of helping in the background,” said Miranda Viscoli, co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence. 

Viscoli says she hopes the podcast provides an outlet for New Mexico students who are on the frontlines of this state and national debate.

“Hear what these youth are going through, what these youth want to see changed, because they have real ideas. They have good ideas. and they’re extremely intelligent,” said Viscoli. 

The podcast is supposed to launch in November. if you are a student who would like to be part of it, or know of one, just fill out the contact form on the New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence website.

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