First look at damage from wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico

According to the most recent update on the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, officials estimate at least 1,400 homes or other structures are destroyed. KOB 4 crews captured some of that destruction on video Tuesday while driving down Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso. More: www.kob.com/ne...
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[@Boushrod]

😥 This hurts my heart and soul. Praying for quick recovery to all affected.

[@pamlove421]

Me too 😢

[@seanpetaia]

Stop given them pray & start given money to these people. 🙄😒

[@joshuauriarte452]

Reminds me of the paradise fire.

[@sportswolf1]

The Lost Bus is being shot up here!

[@valeriebalcom3665]

And Lahaina

[@pattieelam521]

So sad. I♡Ruidoso and its alpine forests. It will grow back. Father help those that live there. amen

[@stroso83]

Sadly it won't in our lifetime, and into the next. But, I'm thankful more people haven't lost their lives. That's what matters most.

[@bigal5323]

It all burned needlessly due to forestry head Ms. McCarthy incompetence! She had no trained forest fire quick suppression teams!!! This all could have been stopped when it was small and first reported!!!

[@michaelfisher7170]

@@bigal5323 everyone's an armchair general. just stop. you're not Patton.

[@stephenvinson6474]

the pain the sadness I know ...when the Gila Wilderness burned in 2012...many of the places I loved and hiked in ...with so much beauty and wild life were completely destroyed...Old growth trees hundreds of years old...destroyed. over 200 THOUSDAND Acres.. The difference here is that these fires in 2024 at Ruidoso threatened a village and destroyed 1500 homes....that magnifies the tragedy...two deaths so far. In the Gila...not in my lifetime will I ever see it like it was...nor in anyone else's lifetime living today. It hurts the soul....deeply.

[@amanda69]

Really sad😢. I really wish they would tell what road this is?

[@PaulWheeler-dq3dq]

It's an erie feeling to see cabins gone, but trees around them still standing.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

The trees which are mostly ponderosa pine trees hold a lot of water even in the drought that the region is experiencing. Thus the trees often appear to survive, but the houses which are not designed to resist the heat go up quickly. Plus there are vents and openings on house exteriors that embers can enter and start burning from the inside.

[@dizzymindy6024]

That’s what burnt pine trees look like.

[@mysticmardi]

Weird that the trees still stand but no houses 🧐

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

That's because the trees especially those pine trees are evolved to handle heat. Pine trees even in a drought are still resistant to catching fire. The wood frame houses are not designed to resist fire usually. That is of course cheaper.

[@stroso83]

​@@journeywithnicholeNo they weren't, most were cabins. Adobe isn't a Ruidoso thing, but nice try. 😂

[@journeywithnichole]

@@stroso83 oh thank you for clarifying. I was going by the aftermath footage. I live 150 miles west of there, and we have alot of adobe.

[@stroso83]

@@journeywithnichole It's different than most places in NM, in terms of buildings.

[@journeywithnichole]

@@stroso83 I wish I would have visited a couple months ago when I received a 1 week invitation. 😢

[@c_coppinger238]

Was just there. Such a beautiful place. The houses can and will be rebuilt even better, but the forest's will take 100 years to grow back. Not to make light of the loss, which is great, but one positive is that the pine tree stands, at least in this video, look intact which is good.

[@scottperry2541]

Any vid from upper canyon?

[@KimberlyCook-j3o]

Who started this fire?

[@paanne1013]

Hot and dry conditions, it is that time of year for wild fires in New Mexico.

[@ryanhowley6977]

Many trees still stand?????

[@michaelfisher7170]

that's how fires move through some landscapes. its all about the conditions at the time.

[@MexicanTeTe]

Ponderosa pine is highly fire resistant.

[@mildredechevarria8527]

Lord I pray for all affected in New Mexico because of the fires. Lord provide for them and there families. Comfort and unite them and surround them with Love and support they need. In Jesus Mighty Name Amen I 🙏. So sorry and sad for all of you and your lost.

[@Carol-zk1ly]

Amen. MARANATHA

[@Jbird-fw5nk]

How does the fire miss the trees but burns the home and cars ??

[@malinoislife856]

Father God, I pray for all the people in need right now and all that are losing their pets, their loved ones ,their homes right now, I pray that you're with them Father and that you please make sure the help that they need is on the way. In Jesus name amen.

[@sandiam7809]

Bless you!

[@bittersweet2253]

Perfect place for a 15 minute city...

[@goodoakpress]

I was wondering if there had been any talk lately of it becoming a "smart" city. Prayers for everyone who has been impacted.

[@journeywithnichole]

Actually it is the largest wind farm in the country that is going there. Look up Pattern Energy, Canadian Pension Plan Investments, SunZia. Maui 2.0

[@momofmanyhorses]

exactly my thoughts now somehow large dangerous storm brews up right over fire area with baseball size hail???? something seems off

[@43warriormode98]

Yup same hit as Lahaina WAKE UP PEOPLE WE ARE UNDER ATTACK INSIDE JOB

[@abolisher]

As long as the women in my 15 minutes city are pretty it’s all good

[@jerrydanowski2133]

Is it me or am I correct in wondering why there are still so many trees left standing and all the houses are completely obliterated. Why does this remind me of Lahaina Hawaii

[@journeywithnichole]

Maui 2.0 Look up largest wind farm in USA to begin construction. Pattern Energy, SunZia, Canadian Pension Plan Investments. The resistance was from native tribes & old town locals. Much like Maui.

[@nimblevagrant4]

Simple. The trees (ponderosa pine) have evolved over centuries to survive fires. Houses and cars have not.

[@journeywithnichole]

@@nimblevagrant4 Wouldn't it be the trees that keep the fire spreading? For instance, a house & car are turned to ash, how does the fire spread?

[@joycej9415]

​@@journeywithnicholeI think it would be the sparks that fly from combustibles in the house and cars often have gas tanks explode.

[@journeywithnichole]

@@joycej9415 yes, makes sense and the high winds would carry those flammables

[@donnabrant3970]

Where is the video taken? Looks like Hull Rd

[@monicakummerl1495]

It's Gavilan Canyon, heading East from Alto Cafe.

[@MaryALucas]

Houses burn down and trees still stand??????

[@moonshinefuel]

Yes, and pinecones release seeds after a fire, a process called serotiny, then the seeds are spread all over the place. Nature has adjusted, humans have not adjusted quite as well it seems. But people will rebuild so a case can be made for that.

[@kathyarreola740]

Sending prayers for everyone

[@gary9080]

Sad to see 🙁

[@LHarris-h8y]

Weird how the trees look relatively unharmed.

[@CynthiePompey9999]

Honorable thank you for helping the people. Cynthie The ne-gro Buddha, Seshat

[@seandenzelrhymer760]

Good luck greg

[@willm9446]

I literally just left there !!!

[@JudyJohnson-qk1wy]

So sad to see all the homes gone.

[@skypedersen5447]

that's NOT a natural fire...why didn't the tires on the white truck burn? just like MAUI

[@michaelfisher7170]

what do you mean "natural" fire? it was likely started by arson but...fire is fire.

[@DontStepInTheGrease]

Crime scene soon to be washed away.

[@zsoltkarner2698]

to slow down a bit !!!!

[@rockinrobin1007]

I’m guessing the super rich want this land.

[@patriciacoburn5415]

So sad

[@carolcynova3805]

Lahaina repeated

[@43warriormode98]

Agree!!!

[@oliviasilva5380]

😢😢😢😢 sad very sad

[@ronjessup9157]

Dr. Evil and his "Lazer Beam" back at it again.

[@Cosmos77727]

Please be a little more open about it, I think this is true...

[@michaelfisher7170]

take your meds.

[@michaelfisher7170]

suspected russian bot.

[@ronjessup9157]

@@michaelfisher7170 Hour from the Capital. Currently 96 degrees with no rain in sight.

[@joeblaney4509]

Does anyone know who made the comment,"poor rich people"!

[@ErnestPanda33]

How are the homes just leveled to NOTHING! We should already have a forest fire proof house designed by now!? 😢 My heart is broken for these people! HORRIBLE!

[@gezrod]

They weren't painted blue.?. 🤔

[@joycej9415]

Mostly concrete and metal??

[@aja1071]

DEW just like Lahaina Maui Hawaii

[@michaelfisher7170]

there is no dew, kiddo.

[@BernardLimpet-qd8bk]

Gavalin

[@43warriormode98]

DEW WE WILL SEE MORE DEW...

[@frankmorris4790]

This is green policy for ya, your Woke Forest Circus at work. Healthy Western Forest carries 40-50 stems per acre, not HUNDREDS. This is a fuel load five times(?) the norm.

[@huemann7637]

That makes way too much sense. It was probably aliens or something.

[@cerebrix]

You should have eaten less paint as a child

[@pizzaparty-r1c]

Tourism was out of control there. Especially from the 'usuals' from el paso. Hopefully ruidoso stays a ghost town for a few years now. Stay out of my town.

[@Carol-zk1ly]

That's why Timberon kept their road into town gravel for so many years. I remember when Ruidoso was nothing but dirt roads. It was scary in my Dad's old Carryall.

[@joycej9415]

​@@Carol-zk1lyme too, when we camped there in the 1950's and 60's

[@evelynamparanholguin6553]

I don't understand, ruidoso is literally a tourist town teenagers and adults all get good income because of travel. Yeah it sucked hearing customers being rude but that's everywhere. How dare you try to turn this disaster into a good thing for your selfish ass reason.

[@Cosmos77727]

Why you think that El Paso people is not special, and you are? Thank God, he is merciful to you and to people from El Paso, I am sure you also visit El Paso😊

[@Cosmos77727]

😂😂😂

[@UFOHUNTERS2]

the good thing is mother nature always wins , everything will come back to life, it may take a long time,,

[@MrMarklanders]

Magnifique. Feu a volonte.

[@celiajimenez1704]

😢😢😢😢

[@ednaselm]

I had to stop watching my head was spinning...if you could drive a little faster please....and yes I was in tears for these families last night.

[@inerfyr]

DEW

[@43warriormode98]

Exactly

[@johngatsby1473]

Just ate at their local taco bell less than 1 week ago. Very beautiful area

[@doesitmatter808]

The dew run run run, the dew run run 🎶

[@brent4770]

Guy needs a camera upgrade!

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

This guy was just passing through. This view is way better than NOTHING!!

[@JustMe62424]

Show me the blue roofs

[@Hashdollars]

You don’t believe fires start in the desert is that it?

[@czarcastic1458]

All those unburned pine trees right next to the homes and cars must be Blue Spruce, nothing affects them.

[@ducngo1966]

Waters. Bottles. Waters. Buckets.

[@NasaRacer]

in the face of climate change these are places to visit and not places to live.

[@czarcastic1458]

There is no climate change. Get a grip

[@jimmuenz6860]

The Climate has always changed, is changing, and will always change, with or without mankind.

[@justinratcliffe947]

Thank God it wasn't Roswell because I'd like to go there someday. I can already sense the negative replies my comment here will get

[@shoebill181]

Roswell is a great community for older people especially. One long street with mostly all the businesses you would need. Traffic not too bad. A very good hospital, there are two hospitals. Some good doctors. Just not much night life, quite town, but community celebrations once in awhile. No devastating storms to speak of, but then not much rain or snow. I was born there. 78 now and just moved away so I could live with my son to look after me. Oh, don't drink the alien cool aid, most long time residents know it's just a touristy money maker, but doesn't make the city much money.

[@justinratcliffe947]

​@@shoebill181That's the whole reason I wanna visit. I'd love to visit the UFO museum and maybe that UFO shaped McDonald's. I DO believe in aliens

[@jumpingship3001]

​@@shoebill181Thanks for comment

[@Carol-zk1ly]

I grew up in Roswell when Walker AFB (Roswell Army Airfield) was still operational. It was a great town to grow up in until the late 70s. There's a lot of crime now.

[@Carol-zk1ly]

If you're interested in the UFO Museum, you should make the trip and enjoy yourself. I would've suggested hitting Tinnie's Silver Dollar in Hondo, taking the Capitan Loop to Lincoln, stopping at Bonita Lake, and coming back through Ruidoso. I guess we will have to see the extent of those damages.

[@theflavorchef]

its amazing how houses are burnt to the ground and cars nearly melted but the trees survived... even little baby ones....? just a question....

[@treyjacobs4756]

Direct energy weapon

[@njuarin15]

The trees and vegetation there is fire adapted and can survive fires quite well. Structures far less so. Even so a whole lot of those trees with those brown needles will probably die given the severity of the fire.

[@doesitmatter808]

You already know...

[@nrsrchd]

First thing I noticed.

[@ronjessup9157]

Did it miss the plastic trash cans again.

[@nancyann1014]

So sad. I used to drive through Ruidoso from Roswell to Las Cruces back and forth from home to college. It was a beautiful place.

[@StaceyG-l6m]

My dad was stationed at W.S.M.R. We went Rigors downs when I was a kid to see the horse races. It is Beautiful country! My Grandfather is buried in Las Cruces✅✌️❤️🙏🫶😇🥲🥸🌍

[@paanne1013]

It is a beautiful place.

[@Marco90731]

The Trees looked intact but not the Houses 😢

[@bobbethwhite7161]

Interesting how the fire takes out the homes and leaves the trees. Much like the Lahina, and northern California fires.

[@gwennebelle]

Geoengineering

[@joycej9415]

They are more combustible.

[@gwennebelle]

Debra Tavares Paradise California

[@singingsiren82]

Houses are basically kindling, they're going to burn easier than a massive old tree.

[@gwennebelle]

Paradise fire

[@brianegert2664]

Prayers go out to New Mexico fire victims!!!!!!🙏💪🏽❤️🎚️ Jesus name

[@Marco90731]

Now massive Lava flows are moving under New Mexico.

[@flower18777]

Valles?

[@paanne1013]

So glad that I did not buy a home in Ruidoso back in 2012, almost did. A beautiful place, but way too many fires there.

[@KarateLobo]

The amount of comments confused about why a house made of flammable material would burn, but trees that have millions of years of adaptation to fires wouldn't is exasperating.

[@Jbird-fw5nk]

Excuse me, Mr. Smart. I had that question..

[@MattOlshove-fk7us]

Oh you gotta b millionaire with a blue roof. To make it unharmed

[@mistybollinger3312]

This is so sad!! 😢😢 but next time rol the window up while filming!! Bout busted my eardrums when it came on!!

[@ronjessup9157]

Along the MidAtlantic East Coast we havent had rain in a month and they cooking us. Ill go ahead predict we next on Dr. Evil lists with his "Laser Beam".

[@philbuell6657]

Oregon is due another disaster, I'm worried.

[@43warriormode98]

Hmmmm reminds me of Lahaina 😢

[@Amanda-c1g]

Makes me so sad to see this happen to the place I grew up. Praying for all of the people, animals and restoration!

[@marramz4794]

Que pena. Amo Ruidoso. Tantos buenos momentos que tuve allí. Mucha fortaleza a todos allí. 🙏🏾

[@carriew8566]

So sad... 😢

[@RockymountainRobert]

So devastating, I hope and pray all these people affected can rebuild,they should seek gofundme and other donation programs.

[@jd-ku3iw]

How many were Zillow homes.

[@Carol-zk1ly]

A lot!

[@yoyomawh4091]

Maybe, someday they will start to thin out the ‘deadwood’ and brush that allow this fires 🔥 to get out of hand. Just ask any firefighter what causes these small naturally occurring fires to get out of hand and it’s always the same answer, “ fuel per acre” that fuel comes from not managing the forests properly

[@MichaelMarxer-sm5lf]

Love Ruidoso........ rode motorcycle there 20 yrs. straight to Aspencade from 1972 until Ruidoso Businessmens association took it over............. Beautiful place!

[@Carol-zk1ly]

Yep, Aspencade took on a different hue at that time! I miss Bonita Lake. I spent almost every weekend there as a kid. I knew every trail around and even found a friend's long-lost grave of his relative. His family was excited when I led them right to it. They now have fencing around the gravesite. Bonita was supposed to open up this year. I'm so sad. 😢

[@normafloyd9192]

What street or highway are you traveling? I’ve been to Ruidoso many times and don’t recognize anything. Heartbreaking.

[@patchesconway5957]

Dang Amen to our First responders & Fire fighters all the way to the Forestry

[@sonny0888]

The good news is that it looks like the forests have survived as most all trees are still standing and living. It looks to be a healthy and fast moving fire, clearing out only the underbrush. They'll recover quickly.

[@stroso83]

Sadly I think many of those trees will end up dying either from the thermal injury or subsequent infestation from damaged outer defense. I hope I'm wrong

[@warrior4ever731]

Too many trees burn melted cars LAHINA 👽👀

[@danielletilford9454]

Is this the main boulevard through ruidosa?

[@flower18777]

Why are trees not burnt down all the way and broken down even?

[@rodythedude]

Why are there so many trees and all houses burnt to ashes?

[@altrace-l9x]

Prayers for all affected 🙏

[@seandenzelrhymer760]

Or is that mr snyders hider

[@lorenzrey575]

Man, this is so tragic. I grew up in Roswell and used to go to Ruidoso. Those people lost everything. It'll take years and years to recover. NM doesn't have the resources or even manpower your bigger states have. Breaks my heart.

[@tishkerrville8942]

Facts

[@monicarigney697]

So sad .

[@normafloyd9192]

😢

[@toddmohr8624]

Even the buildings with blue roofs are gone.

[@43warriormode98]

Sure are 🙄

[@rhondajoyce6814]

Is that Gavalan cannon

[@littlemikeism]

It says in the description that it is on Gavilan Canyon Road.

[@donnacaldwell3267]

My friend has (had) a big, beautiful home on Musketball Dr. Been there several times. Heart wrenching.

[@hdtravel1]

Come on folks - stop gawking and dig deep and donate as much as you can to help these folks impacted by the fire !!

[@philbuell6657]

It reminds me of what Detroit, Oregon looked like after Kate Brown burned it out.

[@vidella52]

Is anyone looking for 92 year old Elaine Edwards from Ruidoso she is safe

[@elladoz1966]

Thanks for sharing 🤔

[@dibaz1]

Pity, soo much could be saved if they only managed more efficiently and proper fire-breaks, no??

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

That is not so easy with fast moving fires like this one. Within a few hours this fire went from a couple hundred acres to thousands of acres because of high winds and everything was so dry. Getting the fire crew on the scene takes time as well.

[@hdkirby9823]

That’s just devastating. What’s happened there? After I got out of the service in the late 70s living in El Paso, I used to deliver produce up there to the restaurants and Ruidoso Downs

[@dizzymindy6024]

Dang, that’s so sad. The fires we have here in California are fast and hot. The winds have been high, up to 70mph. It breaks my heart to see the losses in this town.

[@MaltedJacker]

My house burned in Roswell 3 weeks ago. I have tears watching this.

[@Carol-zk1ly]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Whereabouts did you live in Roswell? I grew up near Cahoon Park but my family moved across from Goddard in 1971.

[@MaltedJacker]

@@Carol-zk1ly by the airport

[@Not_PretendingTV]

This is Bidens America....

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

Stop making a political issue about what is strictly about how the whole world is changing. Wild land fires are increasingly dangerous because of worsening drought, warmer temperatures and stronger winds. Aggressive fires like this are happening all over the world!!

[@Not_PretendingTV]

@@michaeldeierhoi4096 wow that's scary.......sounds like need better leadership

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

@@Not_PretendingTV The world needs to be much more aggressive in confronting climate change because the extreme weather that leads to worsening fire conditions will only get worse.

[@titopuente571]

Looks like CA! Re-evaluating that mountain home? Expect more pics like this with climate change.

[@paanne1013]

This has nothing to do with climate change, New Mexico is High Desert and with the high heats, they have wild fires every year, since forever.

[@elizabethm.158]

What street is this?

[@nanameem]

Gavalan

[@anthonyl6232]

What part of town is this plz?

[@monicakummerl1495]

It's Gavilan Canyon, heading East from Alto Cafe.

[@anthonyl6232]

Thank you. If Gavalan is that bad I can't Imagine how bad west from there is. My parents home in off Cedar Creek. We fear the worst.

[@liberatedwoman]

Apocalyptic! Sadness and loss.