Ruidoso Emergency Sirens: What They Mean and When You’ll Hear Them
December 2025 Update: This page reflects current emergency alert systems and updated outdoor warning siren locations.
Sound of Safety: Emergency Alerts & Outdoor Warning Systems
Staying informed during emergencies is critical. The Village of Ruidoso works in coordination with regional partners to provide timely alerts through multiple notification systems, including outdoor warning sirens and opt-in alert platforms.
Residents are encouraged to review the information below and ensure they are signed up for all applicable alert services.
Outdoor Warning System (OWS)
The Village of Ruidoso operates an Outdoor Warning System (OWS) designed to alert residents in the event of an immediate, life-threatening evacuation, primarily related to wildfire danger. The single-toned sirens are an audible emergency warning system designed to notify people to evacuate the area immediately.
When You’ll Hear the Sirens
Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Orders
Sirens are activated only when an official evacuation order is issued due to a fast-moving wildfire and immediate evacuation is required.
Monthly System Tests
To ensure functionality, the system is tested on the 1st and 15th of each month at 5:00 PM. These routine tests are not emergencies.
Emergency Siren Social Media Notification Icons
Blue Icon — Routine Testing
This icon is used for scheduled Outdoor Warning System tests conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month at 5:00 PM. These notifications are not emergencies.
Red Icon — Emergency Alert
This icon indicates an active emergency involving an official wildfire evacuation order. When this icon appears, immediate action is required.
Why Sirens Aren’t Used for Flood Events
Flash flooding is a different type of emergency that often develops and recedes quickly. For these types of events, we rely on communications via text alerts, weather alerts, phone calls, social media posts, and our RAIN (Ruidoso All-Hazards Information Network) map.
Sounding the sirens too frequently or for multiple types of emergencies can lead to confusion and desensitization during actual fire evacuations.
Village of Ruidoso Outdoor Warning System
The Village of Ruidoso maintains an Outdoor Warning System (OWS) to alert residents during official wildfire evacuation orders that require immediate action. Sirens are activated only in situations involving fast-moving fires where rapid evacuation is necessary.
The following table outlines all current siren locations, effective December 2025, along with their updated siren types:
| Site | Location | Siren Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camelot | Federal Signal 2001–SRN |
| 2 | Fire Station One | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 3 | Wingfield Park | Federal Signal MOD8032 |
| 4 | Fire Station 3 | Federal Signal 2001–SRN |
| 5 | Fire Station 2 | Federal Signal 2001–SRN |
| 6 | White Mountain Sports | Federal Signal MOD8032 |
| 7 | N Fork Road | Sentry 16V-B |
| 8 | Cherokee Well | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 9 | Canyon & Hull | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 10 | Cree Meadows Golf Course | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 11 | Wax Pine & Davis | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 12 | Pikes Peak | Federal Signal 2001–130 |
| 13 | Eagle Creek Sports | Federal Signal MOD8032 |
Outdoor Warning System Coverage Map (December 2025)
This map shows the locations of Ruidoso’s outdoor warning sirens and their projected sound coverage during an active alert. Sirens are used exclusively for official wildfire evacuation orders requiring immediate action. Colored contours indicate estimated sound levels across the community, illustrating how alerts are designed to reach residents throughout the village.
Lincoln County Alert System
Lincoln County is currently transitioning its alert platform to Genesis.
A new link will be available soon. Once provided, it will be added here for public access.
Ruidoso Downs Alert System
Residents can sign up for Ruidoso Downs emergency notifications at:
How to Stay Informed About All Emergencies
The Village of Ruidoso recommends signing up for multiple alert sources to ensure you receive timely information in a wide range of emergency situations.
Village Alerts
CallMeRuidoso (AlertSense)
Visit CallMeRuidoso.com to register for emergency notifications.
Select your preferred contact method (Email, Text, and/or Voice Alerts)
Choose your language preference
Select preferred weather alerts (at a minimum, we recommend Fire, Flood/Flash Flood, and Winter Storm)
If you opt in to Voice Alerts, save 833-419-3463 as “CallMeRuidoso” so emergency calls are not missed or marked as spam.
If you opt in to Text Alerts, messages will come from 38276. Save this number as “CallMeRuidoso” so alerts are easily recognized.
Federal & Weather Alerts
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)
IPAWS distributes critical alerts from federal, state, and local authorities.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)
Enable notifications on your mobile device to receive location-based emergency alerts. For more information on alerts, visit ready.gov/alerts.
National Weather Service
Weather alerts and warnings issued directly by the National Weather Service. You can find live alerts for your area on the National Weather Service website (weather.gov) by searching for your location.
Social Media
Follow official Village and weather service accounts for real-time updates:
Village of Ruidoso: https://www.facebook.com/villageofruidoso
National Weather Service Albuquerque: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbuquerque
Local Media
Stay informed through local broadcast outlets:
KRUI The Mountain — FM 99.1 & AM 1490: https://1490krui.com
NOAA Weather Radio
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network broadcasting continuous weather and emergency information directly from the National Weather Service. NWR provides official warnings, watches, forecasts, and hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information on alerts, visit www.weather.gov/nwr.
Looking Ahead
The Village of Ruidoso is actively evaluating ways to enhance our emergency communication system, including exploring multi-tone siren signals or digital signage that can distinguish between fire and flood alerts in the future.
Remember to stay informed and protected by signing up for multiple emergency alert notifications. Having backup means multiple safety nets!
