Ruidoso fires: How El Pasoans can help with clothing, water, money donations

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
Updated ·3 min read

Many in El Paso have been praying for Ruidoso, hoping the rain will come and the fires can be contained.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire devastated 1,400 structures, and two deaths were confirmed by the authorities.

El Pasoans have also been looking for ways to help the resort town that is often a vacation spot for them. Many in El Paso like to go to Ruidoso to ski, shop, and stay for a weekend or more. Some also have property in Ruidoso as a vacation home.

Here are some ways El Pasoans can help.

Smoke plumes from the South Fork Fire rise above the tree line as the fire progresses from the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation to the Lincoln National Forest causing mandatory evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S. June 17, 2024. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal
Smoke plumes from the South Fork Fire rise above the tree line as the fire progresses from the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation to the Lincoln National Forest causing mandatory evacuations in Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S. June 17, 2024. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal

Horizon Fire Department collecting water, Gatorade

The Horizon Fire Department is collecting donations of water bottles and Gatorade. Items can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20-23 at Ambers Coffee Bar, 14026 Horizon Blvd., Suite 8.

Priority items are non-perishable foods, children's diapers (all sizes), and wipes, personal wipes, baby food, adult diapers, sheets and blankets, toiletries (travel size), canned food, and clothing. Secondary items are snacks, jerky, hard candy, chapstick, and easy grab and go foods.

Ambers Coffee Bar in Horizon City is helping the Horizon Fire Department collect donations of water bottles and Gatorade.
Ambers Coffee Bar in Horizon City is helping the Horizon Fire Department collect donations of water bottles and Gatorade.

They will also have a semi-trailer from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 21-23 at the Walmart, 13900 Horizon Blvd., or until the trailer is full.

Oasis Tire & Wheels in El Paso, Las Cruces collecting items

The Oasis Tire & Wheels stores at seven locations in the El Paso area are gathering donations for the Ruidoso community. The collected items are non-perishable food, blankets, diapers, towels, water, pillows, and hygiene products for men, women, and children.

Drop-off locations: 757 Horizon Blvd. Socorro, 9949 Alameda Ave., Socorro, 6320 N. Mesa St., 9407 Alameda Ave., 2110 Joe Battle Blvd., 7306 North Loop Drive and 2090 N. Solano Drive in Las Cruces.

More: NM Gov. Grisham: Ruidoso fire cause under investigation, avoid speculation: live updates

Donate to a Ruidoso fund

People looking to donate funds to Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, and Lincoln County can do so through the Community Foundation of Lincoln County’s website at https://www.cfolc.org/copy-of-the-shelter-fund.

The Shelter Fund was established to assist members of the community who have experienced hardships due to unforeseen disasters such as fire or flooding. It is intended to help those who suddenly find themselves without shelter. Funds are generally granted for specific cases of need, and recipients are identified at the discretion of the Board of Directors year-round.

Ruidoso residents who want to apply for funding should click on the Website to apply.

Where to donate water, clothing in Mescalero, N.M.

The sculpture at the entrance of the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero greets people arriving to the resort. The resort is a collection site for donations of water, clothing and non-perishable items.
The sculpture at the entrance of the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero greets people arriving to the resort. The resort is a collection site for donations of water, clothing and non-perishable items.

The Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero, N.M., is still open and has set up temporary shelter in the convention center for those who have received evacuation orders from Ruidoso and Mescalero. Items such as water, non-perishable food and clothing can also be donated.

The Inn of the Mountain Gods has rescheduled the June 20–22 concerts due to ongoing wildfires in the Mescalero and Ruidoso areas. The safety and well-being of guests, staff, and the surrounding community remain top priorities, as stated in a release on the resort website.

More: 'He is irreplaceable': Ruidoso fire victim's family, friends mourn country musician's death

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: South Fork Fire, Salt Fire: Where to donate in El Paso for Ruidoso