New Mexico

South Fork Fire near Ruidoso caused by lightning, Salt Fire remains under investigation

Published

2 years ago

July 3, 2024

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.

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New Mexico

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via $8M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Published

3 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Mack Dyer salutes the American Flag during a ceremony, Feb. 25, 2026 at the American Legion in Carlsbad. Adrian Hedden | Carlsbad Current-Argus

Adrian Hedden Carlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com Mack Dyer served for 21 years in the U.S. Army. He fought in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi…

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New Mexico

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

Published

15 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

The Nevada women’s basketball team dropped its final home contest of the 2025-26 season on Saturday with New Mexico spoiling Senior Day and pushing past the Wolf Pack for a 63-56 win.

The Wolf Pack led 36-34 at halftime behind a hot-shooting start. Skylar Durley, Imbie Jones and Ahrray Young each had six points as Nevada shot 14-of-25 from the field (56%). But things cooled off in the second half, with the Lobos outscoring the Wolf Pack 19-13 in the third quarter to take a four-point lead into the fourth. Nevada’s shooting woes only worsened in the final period when it made just three field goals, including none in the final four minutes.

Durley led Nevada with 16 points and six rebounds. Young finished with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Wolf Pack made just one three-pointer out of its nine attempts.

The loss drops Nevada to 9-20 overall, 5-14 within the Mountain West Conference. The Wolf Pack now heads to Utah State for Tuesday’s regular-season finale before opening the Mountain West Tournament play next Saturday in Las Vegas.

Watch our coverage of the game below.

Highlights and reaction from Nevada’s loss to New Mexico.

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