Albuquerque firefighters sent to help combat Ruidoso wildfires

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – As wildfires prompt evacuations near Ruidoso, some of Albuquerque’s first responders are working to help limit damage to homes and fight the fires.

“The Wildland Division is currently preparing to deploy to the South Fork Fire,” Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s (AFR) Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo said in a press release. “We never want to see this type of fire activity so close to inhabited areas. AFR will assist the efforts to contain this fire and protect the community in any we can.”

One fire engine is headed to help protect structures and contain the Salt Fire. As of Tuesday, June 18, that fire has burned more than 4,000 acres on the Mescalero Apache Reservation .

Another fire engine is going to help combat the South Fork Fire, which has impacted hundreds of structures so far . The fire engine has a 500 gallon tank to help protect structures, AFR says.

Eight personnel are headed to the Ruidoso area to support the crews already on scene. AFR says they are prepared to send more firefighters if requested.

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