Fire
Industry News
Within the first 48 hours, the Ruidoso wildfires had claimed over 1,400 structures in Lincoln County that were people’s homes and livelihoods. The human-caused South Fork and Salt fires, which started on Monday morning, June 17, have since cumulatively burned 25,367 acres and 1,400 structures, leaving one person dead. As I write this, my own father’s home in Ruidoso’s Alpine Village neighborhood has been burnt to ashes. Much of the town and surrounding forest (or what once was) looks like the apocalypse rolled through it. However, in the face of such adversity, many residents have banded together to help one another and our beautiful community in whatever ways they can.
One of those helping the Ruidoso community right now is 39-year-old born and raised Ruidoso resident Logan Fle, who decided not to evacuate when the town was put under an evacuation order so that he could stay and help. Since the wildfires ignited on Monday, Fle was badged as a first responder on behalf of Downshift Brewing Co., a Ruidoso Brewery, and has been driving around the town while firefighters battle the blazes to check on people’s houses, feed their animals, give first responders snacks and cold drinks, and just help out in whatever way he can. When I spoke with Fle over the phone, he was at a person’s house who had been evacuated feeding their chickens that were left behind. “It’s been a hell of a week,” he told me.
Fle has been documenting his efforts on his Instagram story, which has videos and images of the destruction from the fires. Many of them are horrific, showing entire homes, businesses, town infrastructure, and surrounding forest completely incinerated. Because of persons like Fle, many residents were able to know if their homes and neighborhoods survived the fires because of his footage from the town. Unfortunately, many of these places did not make it.
“A lot of my friends are slaving away in the woods,” Fle said. “I go up to the areas and give them cold sodas and hot meals—they don’t get that. They sleep on the ground at night. It’s important to care for them and show that there’s a community backing them and what they’re doing. A lot of my buddies are firefighters who lost their homes so that’s important for us to give back in any way we can.”
On top of physically helping around town, Fle has organized a fundraiser to provide financial support to the victims of the Ruidoso fires where 100% of the proceeds go to those affected. Donors have been sending Venmo payments to Fle’s account which he will give to the victims of the fires. He’s been sharing the fundraiser’s progress on his social media accounts, and since last week, Fle has helped raise over $50,000 on his Venmo alone. “Absolutely all of the money will be going toward the Ruidoso community,” Fle said.
“We want to see how much we can raise for those who lost their homes. My brother lost his home. We just spread the word and within 48 hours we were already at $30,000. 100% is going back to the people who lost their homes,” Fle said.
Fle told me that he has been driving around town with a mannequin in the back of his truck as a means to bring a little laughter or a smile to those who are still in town battling the blazes or helping the community. He also said that others have stepped up in the face of this tragedy, providing the community with food, water, clothing, and whatever they can to those in need. Downshift Brewing Company has been cooking 600 meals three times a day for anyone who is hungry and there is free food, water, clothing, and supplies available at Cattle Baron, all set up by Ruidoso community members.Â
Along with Fle’s fundraiser he’s running through Venmo, his tattoo shop is organizing a fundraiser for those affected by the Ruidoso fires and there is a community foundation Shelter Fund that is being run by Lincoln County along with several other fundraisers outlined in the ‘How to help’ section below.Â
The Ruidoso wildfires have devastated the community but they’ve also revealed its incredible strength. Residents like Logan Fle and others have rallied together, offering help in countless ways. From providing meals and shelter to raising funds, the town’s response shows its resilience. While the road to recovery will be long, Ruidoso’s spirit remains unbroken. This disaster has proven that when faced with adversity, this community doesn’t just survive—it comes together and fights back.
Specific information on how to help is attached below in the ‘How to help’ section.Â
How to help
Fundraisers:Â
- The Greatest Needs Impact Fund and the Community Foundation of Lincoln County are providing financial resources to support people, animal,s and places affected by the fires. Donations may be made at cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate.
- GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety Team has created a hub of what they describe as verified fundraisers from people affected by the fires, including one set up by the family of Patrick Pearson, whose body was found near the Swiss Chalet Motel. The hub can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/new-mexico.
- Logan Fle’s Venmo (100% of proceeds go to victims of the Ruidoso Fires) – @Logan-FlehartyÂ
- Loganz Ink – Facebook
- The Shelter Fund via Lincoln County– websiteÂ
- Rebuild Alto Ski Shop – GoFundMe
Pet support
Española Humane is putting out a call for adopters, fosters, and donations for the eight dogs rescued from Ruidoso.
The Española also took in another eight dogs from the Humane Society of Lincoln County in May during the Blue 2 Fire, a couple of which are still available for adoption, the organization said in a release.
More information is available at www.espanolahumane.org
SuppliesÂ
The Santa Fe Association of Realtors is collecting supplies at its office in response to a request for help from the Otero County Association of Realtors for those affected by the fires, according to an email from the organization. The association is also looking for volunteers with a truck or a van to transport the items. Donations may be dropped off at the association’s office at 549 S. Guadalupe St. until 5 p.m. Thursday.
The group is asking for the following supplies:
- Bottled water, both in individual and gallon-sized bottles.
- Gatorade, protein bars, and nonperishable food items.
- Deodorant, tampons, and pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo.
- Diapers, baby bottles, baby food and baby snacks.
- Dog food and cat food.
- Towels and blankets.
Resident ResourcesÂ
Residents returning to Ruidoso who are in need of food, water, personal hygiene items, or toiletries can receive these items at the following distribution locations:
- First Baptist Church – 270 Country Club Drive Ruidoso, NM
- Lincoln County Fairgrounds – 101 5th Street Capitan, NM
- Cattle Baron  – 657 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM
- Downshift Brewing Co. – 2704 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM
Residents that have been displaced and are in need of shelter and any items listed above can go to:
- White Mountain Sports Complex – 687 Hull Road Ruidoso, NM
A FEMA Representative and Red Cross representatives will be on-site at the White Mountain Sports Complex to assist.
A distribution center that will be operational on 6/25/2024 will be:
- River Crossing Ministries – 1950 Sudderth Drive Ruidoso, NM
Keep in mind that the distribution centers WILL NOT be accepting Donations.
