MESCALERO, New Mexico — Wildland fire and law enforcement investigators completed the investigation into the cause of the South Fork fire on July 3. 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.
The investigation was conducted by wildland fire investigators and law enforcement officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Mescalero Conservation Law Enforcement Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Parks, and the FBI.
The fire was reported June 17, burning on the Mescalero Apache Reservation near the community of Ruidoso on tribal trust land administered by the BIA Mescalero Agency. Despite an aggressive response by multiple agencies, high wind spread the fire to over 15,000 acres within the first 24 hours. As of July 3, the fire is over 17,000 acres and 87% contained.
The cause of the nearby Salt fire remains under investigation. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the Salt fire. Anyone who may have information pertaining to its cause is encouraged to either call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or text a detailed anonymous tip to “BIAMMU” (mobile number 847411). Tips may also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
Staff Reports
