At approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, Ruidoso Emergency Management issued an evacuation notice for the Upper Canyon Area due to unstable soil and life-threatening floodwaters.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding through the South Fork Fire burn scar Saturday afternoon in Ruidoso. The Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso was evacuated, yet some people were stranded in their homes surrounded by the rapidly rising floodwaters.

Flash flooding in Upper Canyon produced large volumes of mud and debris, which blocked bridges along the Rio Ruidoso, causing flood waters to overflow the Brady Canyon Bridge at the intersection of Sudderth and Mechem drives. Overflow was also seen at the Eagle Creek, Two Rivers Park and Gavilan Canyon bridges.

At least two swift water rescue crews were deployed to rescue residents from their homes surrounded by rising, torrential flood waters. Emergency personnel quickly responded to block the bridges overcome by floodwaters while evacuating the area, which proved challenging due to the number of people that returned to the affected areas following the South Fork and Salt Fires.