Colorado task force prepares for water rescues in New Mexico wildfires

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — Colorado first responders are on the scene of the devastating wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and now they’re preparing to change tactics.  

Some 45 members of Colorado Task Force 1 deployed on Friday to assist with search and rescue in the areas burned by the South Fork and Salt fires. Since Saturday, the team covered searched 6,000 acres and 937 structures during searches of the burn area as part of a hazmat detection mission.

“It can be very grueling. They were working 12, 14, 16 hour days,” said Bob Olme, program manager for the task force, known as CO-TF1 for short. “We want to do our part so that should we ever need that same help, that we could count on that as well.”

A charred car sits among the remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel after it was destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Olme told FOX31 that they did not find anyone in the area they covered, which means residents evacuated and were not trapped in the fire.

“The fact that they were able to get good clearance on lots of acreage yesterday and confirmed that, it’s some closure and some start of the rebuilding for the people that are going back there so that the morale is very high,” Olme said. “They want to do whatever they can to make it better.”

Now, with an expected torrential rainstorm on the way, members of CO-TF1 are bracing for swift water rescues. Olme said the team prepared in advance, bringing boats, swift water suits and life jackets.

“They don’t care if they’re trudging through ash or waiting for flash floods. They just they just want to be there to help,” Olme said. “That’s why they joined the task force to be part of something bigger than themselves so that they can make a difference in the worst of people’s times.”

Weather dependent, Olme said the team plans to demobilize on Friday or Saturday.