The Midland County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Mounted Patrol has extended its support to the New Mexican village of Ruidoso as wildfires continue to threaten the area. Ruidoso is located approximately 280 miles northwest of Midland.
A June 19 Facebook post by MCSO stated that the Permian Basin law enforcement agency considered it an honor to assist with the evacuation of livestock and the delivery of supplies and donations to the fire-stricken area.
According to Ruidoso-NM.gov, the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire began just before the Juneteenth holiday and have consumed nearly 20,000 acres of land.
Ruidoso-NM.gov also announced that the wildfires forced over 8,000 people to evacuate and claimed at least one life.
Ruidoso News reported that as of June 19, the sole evacuation route available for nearby Ruidoso Downs was U.S. Hwy. 70 east toward Roswell.
The publication reported that officials declined to specify which structures were either destroyed or intact, stating that fighting the fires was their top priority.