RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Residents of a village in southern New Mexico were ordered to flee their homes Monday without taking time to grab any belongings due to a fast-moving wildfire.
“GO NOW: Do not attempt to gather belongings or protect your home. Evacuate immediately,” officials with Ruidoso, a village home to 7,000 people, said on its website and in social media posts at about 7 p.m.
Public Service Company of New Mexico shut off power to part of the village due to the fire, which had grown to at least 2 square miles (5.1 square kilometers) at the time the evacuation was ordered, KOAT-TV reported.
The glow from the fire could be seen Monday night from a webcam in the downtown area, where lights were still on.
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The South Fork Fire started Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
The Village of Ruidoso is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) west of Roswell, where several evacuation centers were set up.
An air quality alert was issued for very unhealthy air in Ruidoso and surrounding areas due to smoke.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network is hosting its 15th Annual Buddy Walk this Saturday at Expo New Mexico.
This year marks the first time the event is at Expo New Mexico. Coming off the New Mexico State Fair, they will have a fair theme with carnival-themed games, entertainment and exhibitors on-site.
The event is one of the RGDSN’s significant fundraising events of the year. Last year, the event drew just over 2,000 people and raised $128,000.
Already, they’ve raised $93,400 of their $100,000 goal this year.
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All of the money will go directly toward the nonprofit’s programming, which includes educational and recreational activities, scholarships and educational resources, networking events and the national advocacy efforts of the National Down Syndrome Society.
“We’re thrilled to be returning with the 15th annual Buddy Walk. It continues our mission of promoting understanding and respect for individuals with Down syndrome,” said Jaimie Martin, the co-chair of the Buddy Walk. “The event empowers our community by ensuring everyone is valued, included, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
The RGDSN provides support and information to families with a loved one who has Down syndrome. The nonprofit aims to promote understanding and respect to ensure people with Down syndrome can reach their full potential.
To register to participate in the walk or to donate, click here.
People will have two opportunities this weekend inMescalero and Ruidoso to speak with New Mexico cabinet secretaries, or their representatives, about topics like workforce assistance, child care, water well testing, broadband access or help with Medicare benefits.
The events called “Cabinet in Your Community” are hosted by the governor’s office as a way for New Mexicans to connect with state government representatives.
On Sept. 20, cabinet officials and others from New Mexico departments responsible for public health, the environment, public education and information technology will hold an expo and town hall at the Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Similar events will be hosted at Ruidoso High School the next day, Sept. 21.
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According to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office, the expo is a space where residents can meet directly with secretaries and state government officials to discuss issues they are having, or give direct feedback on ways state government officials can better serve New Mexicans.
People can learn about state programs to help with a job search, enrollment in Medicaid, help with child care, food or cash assistance, or unemployment benefits.
The town halls later in the day are another opportunity for residents to share issues with cabinet officials.
The Office of Broadband Access & Expansion is a state Information Technology department agency that will be in Mescalero and Ruidoso this weekend.
Acting director for the office Drew Lovelace said he and representatives will be at both events to discuss issues with broadband communication systems.
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Some infrastructure that provided internet access and cell towers were damaged by the South Fork and Salt fires. This left emergency responders and residents without cell service and access to other ways to communicate at pivotal times during the disaster.
The nonprofit Digitunity will also be at the community events in Mescalero and Ruidoso to take applications from residents who want to receive a donated refurbished desktop computer.
The New Mexico Environment Department said it will offer information and collect samples for free well water testing at both events over the weekend.
Mescalero and Ruidoso residents can bring a water sample to deliver directly to a representative from the environment department. Tests will be free to the first 100 residents or while supplies last.
Results from that sample will be mailed to the resident within three weeks, according to the environment department.
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Environment department officials outlined directions for people who want to take advantage of the free water well testing.
First, people should bring dimensions for well and water depth. State officials need the latitude, longitude and distance from the well where the sample is collected to the nearest septic tank or leach field system. People are also requested to bring any information on the casing material along the well.
New Mexico environment officials also gave directions on how to collect the water sample for anyone who wants it tested.
Anyone who wants to bring a sample should allow their water to run for at least three minutes. Then, state officials ask the person to fill at least a quart or liter of their well water into a clean, odorless glass or plastic container. Water samples should be collected before any filtration or softener system process.
Water samples should be collected just before they are delivered to the state officials at the events in Mescalero or Ruidoso.
