McBride Fire evacuations lifted; 100% contained, 6,159 acres burned

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – As of May 9, the McBride Fire is considered 100% contained according to inciweb. More than 200 homes burned in the fire amid 6,159 acres in and around Ruidoso All evacuations have been lifted related to the McBride Fire in Ruidoso. The fire started April 12 along Warrior Drive near McBride Drive.

• Start Date: April 12, 2022, around 2:30 p.m.
• Location: Ruidoso, Warrior Drive, McBride Drive, Gavilan Canyon Road.
• Containment: 100% contained.
• Size: 6,159 acres.
• Structures Threatened: Yes
• Structures Burned: A least 207 homes destroyed.
• Fatalities: Two people confirmed deceased from the fire. No other injuries reported.
• Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. An estimated 4,000 people were impacted by earlier evacuations.
• Cause: Initial reports from state fire officials suggested a downed power line started the fire. USFS officials now say is “unknown and under investigation.”
• Total Personnel: 341
• Area Vegetation: Grasses, timber.
• Ownership(s): State, private, federal forest land.

The U.S. Forest Service’s Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has begun a post-fire evaluation of the areas burned in the McBride Fire. According to federal fire officials, BAER assessments are rapid evaluations of the burned area that are used to identify unacceptable risks on federal lands from post-fire threats and assist land managers in preparing burned areas for potential threats from rainstorms. Soil erosion and runoff from rainstorms is sometimes, but not always, increased within and downstream of burned areas.