Rains and cooler weather help firefighters gain ground on massive wildfires in southern New Mexico

NOISY, NM — Recent rains and cooler weather are helping more than 1,000 firefighters gain ground on two wildfires in southern New Mexico on Saturday that killed two people, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee.

Fire crews took advantage of temperatures in the 70s, scattered rain and light winds to use excavators to dig protective lines, while hand crews used shovels in rougher terrain to battle fires near the mountain village of Ruidoso.

The South Fork Fire, which spanned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers), was 26% contained, while the 12-square-mile (31-square-kilometer) Salt Fire was 7% contained as of Saturday morning, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Full containment was not expected until July 15, according to the agency.

The wildfires destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,400 structures. Other fallout from the fires — including downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines, flooding in burn scars — continued “to pose risks to firefighters and the public,” according to a Saturday update from New Mexico Energy , Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

Evacuations in areas near Ruidoso and road closures were still in effect. In Ruidoso, full-time residents will be able to return on Monday, although daily life will not return to normal.

“You will need to bring a week’s worth of food and drinking water,” Mayor Lynn Crawford said on Facebook.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham were scheduled to visit the disaster area on Saturday.

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration to parts of southern New Mexico on Thursday, freeing up funding and more resources to help with recovery efforts, including temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured properties and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on land owned to the Mescalero Apache tribe.

Much of the Southwest was extremely dry and hot in recent months. These conditions, along with strong wind, sent the flames out of control, rapidly advancing the fire from the South Fork to Ruidoso in a matter of hours. Evacuations extended to hundreds of homes, businesses, a regional medical center and the Ruidoso Downs horse racing track.

Nationwide, wildfires have ravaged more than 3,344 square miles (8,660 square kilometers) this year — a number higher than the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.