Disaster record
South Fork / Salt Fires (June 2024) — Ruidoso
Two years after the disaster 2 deaths $1.8 billion (NCEI, New Mexico wildfires June 2024)
Summary
The South Fork and Salt fires started on June 17, 2024, on Mescalero Apache land and burned toward Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. About 1,400 structures were destroyed and about 8,000 people evacuated. Two people died. Rain later that week flooded the burn scars. That flooding is part of this disaster.
Two people died in the fire: Patrick Pearson, 60, and a second person who has not been publicly identified. New Mexico State Police confirmed the second death on June 19. Flooding on the burn scars later that week produced rescues, not a confirmed flood death.
Scientific attribution
Southeast New Mexico had been in exceptional drought. The spring was hot and dry, and wind drove the fire into town. Scientists said warming can make drought and fire weather worse. That does not mean climate change was the only cause. There was no World Weather Attribution study of this fire. South Fork was later found to be lightning. Salt is believed human-caused.
Jun 18, 2024 · Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation — Lincoln and Otero counties, New Mexico · wildfire
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Messaging tallies
About these tallies
“Core Democratic Officials reviewed” shows how many of the 53 Core Democratic Officials have been examined for this disaster. Scoring rules: Methods.
Democratic framing
Summary
Two Core Democratic Officials named these fires in the seven-day window. They did not connect them to climate change. They did not name Republican obstruction of climate action.
On June 18, Sen. Martin Heinrich named the South Fork and Salt Fires on the Senate floor. He said thousands had been forced from homes in Lincoln County and on the Mescalero Apache Nation. On June 19, Heinrich and Sen. Ben Ray Luján asked President Biden for a major disaster declaration. They named drought and wind. That is weather, not a climate cause. On June 20 they welcomed the disaster declaration. On June 21 they visited Ruidoso.
Sen. Tom Carper and Sen. Patty Murray spoke on June 18 about wildfires and climate. They did not name these fires.
Statements
- Martin Heinrich (U.S. Senator (D-NM)) — Jun 21, 2024
- Ben Ray Luján (U.S. Senator (D-NM)) — Jun 21, 2024
- Martin Heinrich (U.S. Senator (D-NM)) — Jun 19, 2024
- Ben Ray Luján (U.S. Senator (D-NM)) — Jun 19, 2024
- Martin Heinrich (U.S. Senator (D-NM)) — Jun 18, 2024
Republican framing
No in-window Republican U.S. senator statement naming these fires was found. New Mexico had two Democratic senators and a Democratic governor. The state’s U.S. House members were all Democrats.
Sources
- NM Fires, Flood Recovery Over $34 Million in Federal Assistance — FEMA
- Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters — New Mexico — NOAA NCEI
- READOUT: Heinrich, Luján Visit Ruidoso — Office of Sen. Martin Heinrich
- READOUT: Luján, Heinrich Visit Ruidoso — Office of Sen. Ben Ray Luján
- New Mexico wildfire claims second life, while rain offers hope of relief — Associated Press
- Request for Major Disaster Declaration — South Fork Fire and Salt Fire — Office of the Governor of New Mexico
- N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls on President Biden to Grant State’s Major Disaster Declaration Request — Office of Sen. Martin Heinrich
- From fire to flood: Heavy rains prompt water rescues around Ruidoso — KRWG Public Media
- N.M. Congressional Delegation Calls on President Biden to Grant State’s Major Disaster Declaration Request — Office of Sen. Ben Ray Luján
- Ruidoso, New Mexico, issues evacuation orders as South Fork Fire grows — CNN
- At least 1 dead in New Mexico wildfire that forced thousands to flee, governor's office says — Associated Press
- South Fork Fire, Salt Fire Evening Update – June 18, 2024 — Village of Ruidoso
- Heinrich Addresses South Fork and Salt Fires in New Mexico on Senate Floor — Office of Sen. Martin Heinrich
- IMMEDIATE MANDATORY "GO" EVACUATION FOR THE VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO - June 17, 2024 — Village of Ruidoso