Three Rivers Fire Near Ruidoso Continues to Grow

A forest fire near Ruidoso keeps growing despite evacuation orders being lifted yesterday. The following areas had evacuation orders yesterday lifted during the morning:

• Ski Run Road up to the Eagle Lakes turn
• Villa Madonna
• The Bonito corridor below the Bonito Lake dam (Tanbark will remain CLOSED as it is above the dam)
• Nogal Canyon Road up to the Nogal Peak trailhead
• AND all inhabited areas west of Highway 37 including:
• Loma Grande
• Cora Dutton Road
• Ranchman’s Camp
• Magado
• The Church Mountain area will also be OPEN

However, as of last night, the blaze continued to grow. The fire had nearly double in size and was now over 12,000 acres big.

The fire, which broke out Monday around the Three Rivers Campground and west of the Ski Apache ski resort, was only 5% contained by Tuesday night after charring 18.75 square miles. However, no injuries or damage to buildings was reported.

Colton Bob, a firefighter with Truman Contracting said:

You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow or tonight.

Issac Lopez, a firefighter for Chihuahua Fire Engines said:

Honestly, I feel a little anxious. Hoping the weather continues to stay around and help us out.

The wind earlier in the week not only helped spread the fire but it also made it difficult to fight the fire because it was the fire department and forestry officials weren't able to get aircraft up to fight it. They are hoping they're able to do that this morning though by getting some air tankers, as well as ground crews fighting the fire this morning.