RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Less than a month since fires and floods ravaged the Ruidoso area, the village said they are ready to welcome tourists back to the area. Village officials said crews have been able to remove debris from burn scar flooding. They said PNM has been able to restore power to residents. “We’re open for business. All of our businesses are small businesses and they need the support of tourists. They’re our lifeline,” said Public Information Officer Kerry Gladden, Village of Ruidoso.
Officials said that for safety reasons, the main road to the Upper Canyon is still closed to anyone who is not a resident or contractor. The village is asking tourists to be aware that some residents may not have been able to return yet and the workforce may be depleted for some time. “Be cognizant of what this community has gone through. Understand that our workforce, we don’t have everybody back because some people have not been able to come back. Be patient with our businesses, our restaurants, our lodging. We welcome you back, we need you back,” said Gladden.
According to the village, most of the damage from the fire is in western neighborhood areas. Many areas toward Ruidoso Downs sustained little to no fire damage but were then severely impacted by the floods. “You can’t possibly come here and stay and not realize what has happened. Whether you don’t lay an eye on anything that was burned in the fire, you know something has happened by the way everyone is talking about it in town and talking about ‘wow, where were you?’ and all that stuff,” said Gladden.
The fire destroyed nearly 1,600 structures around Ruidoso while fewer than 250 buildings were impacted by flooding.
