Salt Fire burns 4,876 acres, evacuations on Mescalero Apache Reservation
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – At least two fires are burning on the Mescalero Apache Reservation near Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Salt Fire is 4,876 acres in size as of 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18.
Due to the latest fires, the Mescalero Apache Tribe has issued evacuation orders for residents in these areas:
Residents east of Botella Road
Chatto Bluff
Apache Summit
Fantasy Lane
Bear Canyon
Snow Canyon
Homes along Highway 70 from Highway 244 to the east Reservation line
Residents at Chatto Ridge are on “ready” status. The tribe’s evacuation center for Reservation residents is at the Mescalero Community Center Gymnasium. Otero County Electric Cooperative Inc. has shut off power in the area around Penn Scott Drive and Cow Camp.
Livestock can be taken to the Mescalero Rodeo Grounds. If you need help hauling livestock, call 575-973-1394. Those who are elderly and need assistance can call 575-464-9256 or 575-464-4058.
Start Date: June 17, 2024
Location: Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
Fire Size: 4,876 Acres
Contained: 0%
Structures Burned: N/A
Cause of Fires: N/A
Evacuations: Residents in (or near) Snow Springs, Fence Canyon, Whitetail, Chihuahua Well, Fantasy Lane, Summit area, Botella Road, Apache Summit
Area Closures: Highway 70 is closed from Botella Road to Highway 244.
Vegetation: N/A
Response: N/A
Information about the South Fork Fire, which is nearby, can be found here. The Tribe is also receiving reports of multiple additional fires on the Reservation
If you have anything to donate, take it to the Mescalero Community Center Gym at 108 Central Ave., Mescalero, NM, 88340. This is a developing story that will be updated as more information comes in.
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