New Mexico
South Fork Fire near Ruidoso caused by lightning, Salt Fire remains under investigation
The South Fork fire, which has destroyed more than 17,000 acres near Ruidoso, New Mexico, was caused by a lightning strike, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials said.
An investigation conducted by wildland fire and law enforcement determined human activity did not start the South Fork Fire, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials said Wednesday, July 3. The cause of the fire was uncovered through a “thorough investigation by multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the FBI,” officials said.
The South Fork Fire started June 17 near Ruidoso on tribal trust land administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Mescalero Agency. The South Fork Fire has destroyed 17,569 acres of land as of Wednesday, July 3, Southwest Area Incident Management Team officials said. The fire containment is now at 87%, officials said.
The South Fork Fire destroyed more than 15,000 acres within the first 24 hours due to high winds, officials said.
Cause of Salt Fire near Ruidoso remains under investigation
While the cause of the South Fork wildfire is now known, the Salt Fire near Ruidoso remains under investigation, officials said.
The FBI is still offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrests and convictions of the person or people responsible for starting the Salt Fire, officials said.
Anyone with information about the cause of the fires is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit the information online at tips.fbi.gov. People can also text “BIAMMU” to 847411 then “MESCALERO FIRE + the tip” or just BIAMMU to 847411 and the tip.
The Salt Fire has destroyed about 7,939 acres of land as of Wednesday, July 3, Southwest Area Incident Management Team officials said. The fire containment is now at 84%.
Two people have died in the South Fork and Salt fires, which displaced more than 8,000 people.
No further information has been released.
Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rereleased a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, according to a news release.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured gray wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.
Colorado wildlife officials decided to release the wolf in Grand County yesterday because of the proximity to “an unpaired female gray wolf,” nearby prey populations and distance from livestock, according to the release.
“Gray wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and released in a location where it can best contribute to CPW’s efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population while concurrently attempting to minimize potential wolf-related livestock conflicts,” said acting director of CPW Laura Clellan, according to the release.
The wolf was once a member of the Copper Creek pack but departed from it this fall.
A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any gray wolves that leave Colorado and enter those states be returned. That was created in part to maintain the integrity of a Mexican wolf recovery program.
“We recognized during the planning process that we would need to have consideration and plans to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf recovery program, while also establishing a gray wolf population in Colorado,” said CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, according to the release.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A judge sentenced a New Mexico man to nearly 20 years in prison for distributing meth and having guns in his possession to use while doing so.
Court records indicate 43-year-old David Amaya sold meth from a trailer on his parents’ property in Anthony throughout July and August 2024. Agents executed a search warrant Aug. 22 and found 1.18 kilograms of meth, two firearms and ammunition in the trailer and a makeshift bathroom.
Amaya pleaded guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute it. A judge sentenced him to 235 months in prison.
Once he is out, Amaya will face five years of supervised release.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Las Cruces Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams prosecuted it.
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:
Powerball
10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Day: 8-2-7
Evening: 6-9-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lotto America
03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-0-7-8
Day: 3-7-2-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
02-04-06-21-22
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball Double Play
13-15-51-67-68, Powerball: 08
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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