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Wildfire — South Central Mountains, New Mexico

June 17, 2024 · NOAA Storm Events record

Direct deaths
2
Direct injuries
0
Property damage
$23.0M
Area
South Central Mountains

Event narrative (NOAA)

The South Fork Fire was discovered on June 17th within tribal land along the Rio Ruidoso west of Ruidoso. It blew up in size within its first two days reaching 15,000 acres and destroying an estimated 1,400 structures. Two lives were lost, an as of yet identified person in a vehicle on Rainier Road due to the limited remains, and a 60 year old Patrick Pearson within the Swiss Chalet Motel. The fire's growth slowed considerably by the 19th due to heavy rainfall causing flash flooding on the burn scar. Flash flooding and debris flows exacerbated recovery efforts. Many of the structures lost were located within the eastern and northeastern portion of the burn area including areas from Alto to Cellars Canyon and Cedar Canyon down to the upper Rio Ruidoso. Damage is an estimate based on number

Other notable wildfire events in New Mexico

South Central Mountains · April 12, 20222 killedQuay County · June 21, 20171 killedLos Alamos · May 4, 2000$1.5BEast Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains · May 1, 2022$100.0MSouth Central Mountains · June 4, 2012$26.0MEast Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains · April 19, 2022$25.0M

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.

Wildfire — South Central Mountains, New Mexico, June 17, 2024 | DisasterAtlasUSA