Ruidoso firefighters share what they experienced on the first day of the South Fork Fire
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) –The devastating South Fork Fire took out more than 17,000 acres in southern New Mexico in June. The Ruidoso community is picking up the pieces, as hundreds of homes were lost, including some belonging to those on the front lines trying to combat the flames.
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Wildfire: Ruidoso firefighters share what they experienced on the first day of the South Fork Fire
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“There a little helplessness part of myself not being able to save my house but that was a small thing than to possibly losing a lot of lives in the village,” said Joe Kasuboski, Ruidoso Fire Dept. Chief.
Ruidoso Fire Department Chief Kasuboski recalled when the South Fork Fire reached his town, he realized his home was in the line of fire. He told his wife to evacuate, then went about his job getting others out of the village even though he was losing his own home. “I was just worried about the village, the people in the village,” said Kasuboski.
The South Fork Fire originated on the Mescalero Apache Reservation that morning. RFD called in all 27 firefighters that afternoon. The South Fork Fire grew rapidly within 24 hours devouring parts of the village.
Alec Davis was among the firefighters first to respond. “At some point, during that afternoon, massive wind shift came through that’s when we knew it was going to be impacting town…It happened very fast, it was a pretty eery feeling,” said David.
The RFD worked three days straight, combating the flames. They were eventually joined by a complex incident management team that brought firefighters from all over New Mexico and other states to help fight the fire. More than a thousand structures were lost, including the homes of the chief and three other firefighters.
The chief said his family is looking to rebuild. “We’re just in the shock phase of everything happening with me working and dealing with the flooding. We are just putting it in the background,” said Kasuboski.
The South Fork Fire became the most destructive in New Mexico’s history. As of Tuesday, the fire is 99% contained.
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