Single Publication

Location:  Village of Ruidoso
Cause: Under investigation
Percent containment: 0%
Start date: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Size: 5,381 acres

Vegetation: Grass, brush, Timber

Resources: Village, County, State, Federal 

Fire activity: On Wednesday afternoon the fire jumped Gavilan Canyon Road leading to the evacuation of all of Gavilan Canyon East behind the McDonald’s Restaurant. The McBride fire broke out on Tuesday, April 12 shortly after noon in the Village of Ruidoso. The origin of the fire was near Warrior Drive and Hull Road. A number of structures were lost in the area of McBride, Gavilan Canyon, Fawn Ridge, Homestead Acres, and Lower Eagle Creek. Crews are working on multiple fronts on point protection and to secure structures. Crews in the Moon Mountain area continue to try to hold the fire on the north side of Moon Mountain and south of Gavilan and north of Paradise Canyon with a dozer line to keep it from progressing into Paradise Canyon and Meander. In the area of Homestead, Gavilan Canyon and Fawn Ridge, crews are working point protection and securing structures and working to connect and construct fire line to control fire progress. In the lower Eagle Creek area, fire impacted multiple structures in the area and crews are working on point protection. The Fire is currently moving down Eagle Ridge, behind Kokopelli and Outlaw. It is heading towards Elk Valley, south of the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. The fire continues to spread to the northeast. Air tactical support was not able to fly on Tuesday due to extreme 60+ mph winds. The winds have subsided to allow air attack on the McBride Fire. We have nine aircraft assigned to the fire including two Very Large Airtankers and five Large Airtankers and two helicopters. Air operations were grounded mid-day but back up in the afternoon. Fire activity is expected to increase this afternoon as temperatures and winds increase.

Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations remain in place in the following areas:

-        Moon Mountain Area: High Loop, Lupin, Starlight etc.

-        Gavilan Canyon: From Highway 70 to Lower Eagle Creek.

-        East of Hull: McBride, Snowcap, Timberline, Fawn Ridge etc.

-        Homestead Acres/Lower Eagle Creek

-        Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates, Deer Valley, Deer Park, and Alto East of Flute Player

 If you live in those areas, please evacuate to the Ruidoso Convention Center. More evacuations are possible.

 

If you have animals or livestock that need to be evacuated, please contact the Ruidoso Animal Shelter, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Otero County Fairgrounds, Chaves County Fairgrounds, and Roswell Animal Shelters. If you are looking to help with animals or livestock, or have donations for animals, please contact one of these organizations.

Safety: Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews to quickly access the fire. Parts of the Village remain without electricity and gas. PNM, Otero Electric and Zia Natural Gas are working to restore power. We don’t have an estimated time for power to be restored. Trees and power lines remain down in much of the Village. Please watch for animals that have been released or escaped. Future evacuations are possible. Please begin preparing yourself and your family with a go-bag. Visit ready.gov for more information on preparing to evacuate. 

- At this time donations are no longer being accepted at Village Hall located at 313 Cree Meadows Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345 because they have reached capacity.

- If you are in need of blankets, nonperishables, clothing, kid stuff, etc. or would like to donate items please drop them off at 122 Carrizo Canyon Rd, Ruidoso, NM 88345. They will be handing out and accepting donations from 8 a.m -5 p.m. through Sunday.

 

- Donations of Bedding, Clothes, Diapers, etc. please call Lisa Morales with River Crossing Ministries to coordinate delivery 575-808-1515.

 

Please DO NOT take items to the Ruidoso High School, the Ruidoso Convention Center or the Ruidoso Fire Station #1.

Weather: Temps today will be around 54 degrees with 6% relative humidity. Winds will continue north/northwest at 20 mph gusting to 30, which will push the fire to the northeast. Lows tonight in the 30 with 16% relative humidity but winds will die off. Up slope winds in the afternoon may increase fire activity.

Values: Multiple residential subdivisions in the wildland urban interface. Powerlines and other infrastructure.

Road and Area Closures: Updates have been made on area road closures. Closures are in place at Gavilan Canyon from Meander to Highway 48 and Warrior Drive from Hull to Gavilan Canyon. Hull Road remains open but roads east of Hull from Warrior to Lower Eagle Creek like Snowcap, McBride, Timberline etc. remain closed. Road closures are being adjusted based on fire activity. Visit the McBride Fire update for details.