RUIDOSO — Southwest Area Incident Management Team No. 5 reported Wednesday afternoon that the South Fork Fire is now at 64% containment and the Salt Fire at 55% as residents of the Ruidoso area continue to return to their communities.

The South Fork Fire on the northwestern edge of the Village of Ruidoso is listed at 17,569 acres in size and the Salt Fire southwest of Ruidoso Downs at 7,939.

The team says that containment continues to increase as crews work to seek out and address residual heat sources. Fire activity has reduced “significantly” across both fire areas thanks to rainfall in the area. “While pockets of large, heavy, dead/ downed …

(See FIRES, Page 7) … fuels, snags and stumps continue to smolder, growth potential along the perimeter will be very minimal,” the team wrote. Localized flooding caused by thunderstorms were well contained, and firefighters — which include 21 crews, six helicopters, 54 engines, eight bulldozers and 13 water tenders — will now focus on constructing direct control lines and mopping up hot spots where needed.

Evacuation orders are no longer in place, and residents were allowed to begin returning to their homes over the course of Sunday and Monday. However, the team notes that “no entry/exclusion” zones remain in some areas of the communities and should be avoided. Residents can find an interactive map detailing open and closed areas by using the included QR code.

Residents returning to Ruidoso who are in need of food, water or toiletries can pick up those items at the following locations:

• First Baptist Church of Ruidoso

• Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Capitan

• The Human Society of Lincoln County in Ruidoso

• The Ruidoso Elks Lodge

• Ruidoso Downs Senior Center

• J&A Rustic Wood Products in Nogal Those interested in dropping off donations may do so at:

• Community Methodist Church of Ruidoso

• Jack’s Backstage in Ruidoso

• First Presbyterian Church of Ruidoso

• Ruidoso Downs Senior Center

• J&A Rustic Wood Products in Nogal Residents may apply for FEMA disaster aid online at disasterassistance.gov, via the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362.