South Fork Fire caused by lightning, investigators say

ROSWELL - Officials have determined a lightning strike was the cause of the South Fork Fire that scorched areas in and around the village of Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

"The identification of the point of origin and all evidence and data support lightning as the cause of the fire. Human activity and factors did not contribute to the cause," said a press release issued last week from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Several fire and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, had been probing the cause of the South Fork Fire that began on tribal trust land administered by the BIA Mescalero and went on to consume 15,769 acres in and around Ruidoso.

According to the press release, the cause of the Salt Fire, which also ignited the same day, remains under investigation. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for starting the Salt Fire.

People with information can contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

FEMA center closing 

The Disaster Recovery Center, which operated out of the Roswell Convention Center, was scheduled to permanently close last weekend.

Fire victims can continue to apply for federal assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Closure of the center came as the South Fork and Salt fires neared full containment.

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 found that the South Fork and Salt fires were both more than 80% contained late last week.

Acreage consumed by the South Fork and Salt fires remained at 17,569 acres and 7,939 acres, respectively.

Fire crews and residents in and around Ruidoso also continue to deal with devastating flooding caused by persistent, scattered rainfall.

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford told the Roswell Daily Record that he expected most businesses that closed due to water damage would be open this week.

Most of the businesses that were impacted, he said, are located on U.S. Highway 70 near Sudderth Drive, known as "the Y."