NATIONAL NEWS

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings

Jun 24, 2024, 6:19 AM

A charred car and the remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are pictured after being destroyed by the S...

A charred car and the remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are pictured after being destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

(AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Full-time residents of Ruidoso will be allowed to return to their village Monday morning as federal authorities seek to prosecute whoever started a pair of New Mexico wildfires that killed two people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,400 structures.

The FBI said it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire in southern New Mexico, which forced thousands to flee.

The federal agency also said it was seeking public assistance in identifying the cause of the fires discovered June 17 near the village of Ruidoso.

But the notice also pointedly suggested human hands were to blame, saying the reward was for information leading to the arrest and conviction of “the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.

Lincoln County Manager Randall Camp said at a news conference Saturday that “we are approaching a thousand homes lost” in the fires.

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico on Thursday. The move freed up funding and more resources to help with recovery efforts including temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on lands belonging to the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

The National Interagency Fire Center said the South Fork Fire, which reached 26 square miles (67 square kilometers), was 31% contained Sunday. It said the Salt Fire that has spread over 12 square miles (31 square kilometers) was now 7% contained.

Both fires had been at zero containment Friday. Full containment isn’t expected until July 15, according to fire officials.

More than 1,100 firefighters continued to fight the flames in steep and rocky terrain Sunday.

The South Fork and Salt fires are still burning on both sides of Ruidoso and a threat of flash floods still looms over the village.

Authorities said downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines plus flooding in burn scars continued to pose risks to firefighters and the public.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham toured some of the disaster area Saturday with Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell.

Even with federal and state assistance on the table, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford estimates it could take at least five years for the area to fully recover.

Ruidoso officials said those wanting to return home Monday must bring drinking water and at least a week’s worth of food. They warned residents that homes may be without gas, electricity or water.

KSL 5 TV Live

National News

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, welcomes incoming Republican senators in his...

Associated Press

Senate Republicans are gathering behind closed doors to pick a new majority leader

Republican senators will gather behind closed doors Wednesday to decide who will replace longtime Senate leader Mitch McConnell and lead their new majority next year — a decision that could shape the future of the Senate, and the party, as Donald Trump reclaims the presidency.

9 hours ago

Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ in Tru...

Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Aaron Pellish, CNN

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ in Trump administration

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration.

12 hours ago

Members of the Louisville Metro Police and Louisville Fire Departments block access to Givaudan Sen...

Emma Tucker, CNN

Explosion at Kentucky business injures 11 workers, shatters windows in surrounding neighborhood

At least 11 employees were taken to hospitals after an explosion at a Louisville, Kentucky, business that produces natural color for foods and drinks.

14 hours ago

FILE - In this May 13, 2019, photo, River, left, and Timon, both rhesus macaques, sit in an outdoor...

Associated Press

2 more escaped monkeys recaptured and enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in South Carolina

Authorities say two monkeys have been returned to a South Carolina compound that breeds the animals for medical research.

15 hours ago

My Chemical Romance performs during the pre-game show for the NFL Football game between the Denver ...

MARIA SHERMAN, Associated Press

My Chemical Romance returns with ‘The Black Parade’ tour

Nearly two decades ago, My Chemical Romance released their career-defining rock opera, “The Black Parade,” cementing their shift from mainstays of the emo scene to mainstream recognition and becoming one of the most inventive bands of the 21st century.

15 hours ago

The 60th anniversary commemoration of Flight 293 and monument dedication, held at Tahoma National C...

Feliks Banel, KSL Podcasts

Unsolved Histories: Closure

On the final episode of Unsolved Histories: What Happened to Flight 293?, the families and friends left behind gather on the 60th anniversary of the tragic event. For the very first time, as a group united by shared loss, the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, grandsons and granddaughters commemorate their loved ones and pledge to keep seeking answers about Flight 293, and to be formally acknowledged by the Department of Defense.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings