New Mexico Wildfires Claim 2 Lives, Destroy 500 Homes

Heavy rain and hail on June 19 provided a glimmer of hope for firefighters.

A burned car stands in front of a ruined building as the South Fork Fire burned most of the structures in Cedar Creek after mass evacuations of the village of Ruidoso, N.M., on June 18, 2024. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Reuters

At least two people have died in connection with wildfires in New Mexico, state police have confirmed. Two others have received medical treatment for injuries.

New Mexico is currently battling two large wildfires that started on June 17: the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire. These fires have since flanked the entire town of Ruidoso, forcing an evacuation of more than 7,700 residents.