Ruidoso, N.M. — Residents of a village in southern New Mexico were ordered to flee their homes Monday without even 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, home to 7,000 people, said on its website and in social media posts at about 7 p.m.
State Police in southern New Mexico said they were experiencing phone outages that might impact emergency responses to emergencies,As of late Monday evening, the New Mexico Fire Information page said the blaze covered some 8.2 square miles and was zero percent contained. The glow from the fire could be seen Monday night from a webcam in the downtown area, where lights were still on. The South Fork Fire started Monday on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.