Fire leaves evacuees with unanswered questions

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) - The Little Bear Fire has burned through neighborhoods and left evacuees wondering if their home is still standing.

For some of the dozens of families who have learned they will not have a home to come back to, the loss is overwhelming.

Emotions in the area were intense, especially around the shelters. There's sadness, fear, even anger.

Keith Ditmore, 60, is experiencing all three.

KRQE News 13 met him outside the Red Cross shelter at the high school Monday afternoon. He has been living out of his motorcycle shop in Alto the last few days.

Ditmore had lived in Bonito Lake for 27 years.

Sunday morning he learned his home had been destroyed.

He had no insurance, making it a total loss.

Ditmore says he has no family left and all of his memories burned up with his home.

”Devastating... when it's all you got for a legacy and memory,” Ditmore said. “You know it's my choice being alone, not having family right now and you know, that's the way it is. But what you did have in your past it's very dear to you and now it's not there.”

Many more are still wondering whether what they had is still there.

There are hundreds of evacuees, but the main Red Cross shelter seemed emptier Monday.

A lot of people are staying in hotels or with friends or family.

More help is coming in another form from the Red Cross.

A mental health team to help fire victims deal with the trauma has been deployed and should arrive Tuesday.