Charles Langston:FBI offering $10K reward for information about deadly New Mexico wildfires

EL PASO,Charles Langston Texas — A $10,000 reward is being offered by the FBI to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrests and convictions of the person or people responsible for starting the New Mexico wildfires.

The FBI announcement of the reward on Saturday is the first time law enforcement officials have said a person or a group of people could be responsible for starting the deadly fires. Two people have died in the fires.

"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires," FBI Albuquerque Division officials said in a news release.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire started June 17 near Ruidoso, New Mexico. The fires destroyed about 1,400 structures and displaced more than 8,000 people.

"The FBI is assisting our local, state, federal, and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation of the fires near Ruidoso NM," FBI officials said. "We are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the cause of these fires."

Scorched over 24K acres

As of Sunday morning, the South Fork Fire burned 17,551 acres and the Salt Fire scorched 7,775 acres, according to a news release from the Incident Management Team. The South Fork Fire was 31% contained and the Salt Fire was 7% contained as more than 1,100 personnel are fighting both fires along the Mescalero Apache Reservation, Village of Ruidoso, and City of Ruidoso Downs.

"The South Fork and Salt fires saw additional precipitation on Saturday, making it difficult for crews to access some areas due to unsafe conditions," the release said. "On Sunday, weather conditions will allow firefighters to continue securing the perimeter and responding to hot spots within the interior of the fire area."

The fires are considered long-duration events as weather changes and fire activity would increase in unburned pockets of fuel, including stumps and downed trees.

“As these fuels reignite, smoke may be visible,” the release added.

Lawmakers federal support for Ruidoso and Mescalero fire victims

U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan pledged federal assistance for those impacted by wildfires burning in Ruidoso Friday, during a visit to Roswell where evacuees were sent to evade the blaze.

On Thursday President Joe Biden granted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request for a major disaster declaration for federal funds to support recovery efforts. The declaration aids individuals, households, and businesses in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe, read a news release from the governor’s press office.

"This is a major disaster," Heinrich said as he and Lujan talked with the Biden administration to get quick approval for the declaration.

Other sources of wildfires include lightning and downed power lines. Sometimes, fires can be accidentally started by people who leave campfires unintended or fail to douse a campfire fully.  

Anyone with information about the cause of the fires is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit the information online at tips.fbi.gov. People can also text "BIAMMU" to 847411 then "MESCALERO FIRE + the tip" or just BIAMMU to 847411 and the tip.

Contributing: Mike Smith, Ruidoso News

Aaron Martinez may be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.