The Village of Ruidoso has launched RuidosoReady.com, a new preparedness and recovery website that helps residents, businesses, and visitors prepare for emergencies, access recovery resources, and build resilience year-round. During active emergencies, the Village Emergency Information page will continue to provide official updates, alerts, road closures, and incident information.

The Lincoln National Forest will reopen Oak Grove Campground on July 3, 2026, following extensive restoration after the South Fork Fire. More than 2,000 hazardous trees were removed and 30 campsites restored, marking another milestone in regional recovery. Visitors should plan for first-come, first-served camping and possible delays on NM 532 due to ongoing road construction.

The Village of Ruidoso has launched RuidosoReady.com, a new preparedness and recovery website designed to help residents, businesses, and visitors prepare for emergencies, access recovery information, and stay informed year-round. The site brings together wildfire and flood preparedness, evacuation guidance, emergency alerts, rebuilding resources, and resilience tools in one trusted location.

The Village of Ruidoso is inviting residents and property owners to attend upcoming public meetings for the Ruidoso Bridge Replacements Project, an infrastructure improvement effort focused on bridges damaged during the 2008 flooding events. Community members will be able to review preliminary project information, meet with the project team, and ask questions as planning and design work continues.

April 30, 2026 (Ruidoso, NM) — Property owners clearing fire debris should take precautions to protect health and ensure proper disposal. Wildfire debris may contain hazardous materials like asbestos and heavy metals. Learn how to separate debris, confirm landfill requirements, and use protective equipment before beginning cleanup.

The Village of Ruidoso has launched a Clean & Lien Program to address unsafe structures and reduce flood risk following recent wildfire and flooding events. The ordinance-based process prioritizes high-risk properties, supports FEMA program coordination, and helps protect public safety, infrastructure, and community resilience ahead of the 2026 monsoon season.

April 1, 2026: The Village of Ruidoso has released a draft 2026 floodplain map based on a recent hydrologic and hydraulic study. The interactive map includes both current (2025) and draft floodplain data, allowing residents to compare potential changes. Final adoption is pending approval by DHSEM and FEMA. Residents are encouraged to review the map to understand possible impacts.

Updated March 25, 2026: Additional program information and forms are now available.

Lincoln County and partner agencies will host a community meeting on March 25 at ENMU–Ruidoso to share information about the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP), including voluntary property buyout options, eligibility, and next steps following recent fire and flood impacts. A virtual attendance option is also available.

The Village of Ruidoso and Independent Power USA are advancing a proposed $139 million waste-to-fuel facility that would convert wildfire debris and non-hazardous biomass into renewable diesel and biochar. The project is expected to create more than 100 construction jobs and 86 permanent positions, support forest thinning, and reduce landfill waste.

Lincoln National Forest has begun post-fire flood mitigation in Perk, Brady, and Upper Cedar Creek Canyons near Ruidoso. Crews are installing large woody debris structures to slow runoff, reduce erosion, and stabilize fire-impacted drainages following the South Fork Fire. Temporary area closures may be in effect.

Lincoln National Forest is assessing trails in the South Fork and Blue 2 Fire scar areas as part of ongoing post-fire recovery on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The work supports public safety and helps guide sustainable trail rehabilitation and future recreation access in and around Ruidoso.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is providing free tree removal, chainsaw services, and debris cleanup for Ruidoso residents affected by the January 2026 winter storm. Learn where and how to register for no-cost disaster relief assistance, including intake location, hours, and phone registration details.

The Village of Ruidoso is asking residents and business owners to report property damage from the January 2026 winter storm by completing an Individual Assistance Survey, a key step in helping the community qualify for state and federal disaster assistance.

A new thinning project is underway on Lower Crown Drive in the Camelot area of Ruidoso to improve neighborhood safety and reduce wildfire risk. As part of the WUI Barrier Project, crews will thin 20 acres and begin treatments across 250 contracted acres. Residents may see equipment and posted signage in active areas as this multi-year wildfire mitigation effort progresses.

DHSEM is verifying 2024 Private Property Debris Removal applications and will not delay cleanup while insurance is resolved. Action Required: If you have received or may receive insurance coverage for debris removal, email DHSEM-DCM@dhsem.nm.gov. DHSEM will follow up with next steps and is prioritizing your safety and fast debris removal.

The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Ruidoso Public Library closed permanently on Nov. 18, 2025. Residents, businesses, and nonprofits can still apply online at sba.gov/disaster. The grace period for physical disaster loan applications ends Dec. 14, 2025. The EIDL deadline is Apr. 22, 2026. For help, call (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Phase 1 of hazard tree mitigation in the Blue 2 and South Fork burn areas of Lincoln National Forest is complete. Crews felled dangerous dead trees near roads, trails, and public sites to ensure safety and protect infrastructure. Trees remain onsite until Phase 2, which will handle removal and disposal. Planning for Phase 2 is underway.

Phase 1 Hazard Tree Mitigation is underway in the Blue 2 and South Fork burn areas of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. This vital post-fire recovery project improves public safety by removing standing dead trees near roads, recreation sites, and property boundaries. All work is confined to Forest Service lands within the Lincoln National Forest.

Residents of Lincoln and Doña Ana counties affected by the June–July 2025 flooding have until October 15, 2025, to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362 for help with housing, repairs, and disaster recovery needs.

As part of post-fire recovery efforts, DHSEM’s Economic Recovery Team shares details on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant. Fifty $10,000 awards will support small business digital upgrades and operations. Apply by December 10, 2025, at digitalready.verizonwireless.com/grants.