Major Disaster Declaration Issued for Lincoln County. Federal funding is now available to support flood recovery in Lincoln County following a Major Disaster Declaration. Assistance for individuals, businesses, and public cleanup is available at disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362. A local Disaster Recovery Center is open daily at ENMU-Ruidoso Annex, 709 Mechem Dr.

PROJECT: CAMP will be providing a FREE day camp for youth 6-16 years of age affected by the recent floods. The Camp will be held Thursday and Friday, July 24-25 and Monday-Thursday, July 28-31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at ENMU-Ruidoso, 709 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso. They will provide snacks and lunch. They are looking for volunteers as well and campers who have been affected by the floods.

State, local, and county agencies are offering free curbside debris removal in flood-affected areas of Lincoln County. Residents should sort debris into six categories and place it curbside following safety guidelines. Safe cleanup is essential for health and safety. Full details and disposal guidance available at dhsem.nm.gov/debris.

A precautionary boil water advisory is in effect for the Upper Canyon area of Ruidoso due to flood-related damage. Residents should boil water for one minute before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. No contamination is confirmed, but precautions are advised. Call 575-258-4343 for updates. Other areas of Ruidoso are not affected.

Due to hazardous monsoonal flooding, the Lincoln National Forest has issued a temporary closure for the Cedar Creek area on the Smokey Bear Ranger District, effective July 9–September 30, 2025. The order includes trailheads, recreation sites, and multiple trails. Visit the Forest Service website for full details and a map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts.

The Village of Ruidoso confirms that three people have tragically lost their lives as a result of the historic flash flooding that swept through the community on July 8, 2025. The victims were swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck the area.

Effective July 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the Village of Ruidoso has moved to Level I Fire Restrictions. Commercial fire pits (with fire marshal approval) and all outdoor cooking are allowed. Campfires, fireworks, and non-commercial fire pits remain prohibited. Violations will result in citations. Stay informed at www.ruidoso-nm.gov/emergency-information.

The Lincoln National Forest will begin prescribed fire operations in the Sacramento Ranger District July 5–7, weather permitting. The Jeffers Piles project aims to reduce hazardous vegetation near Perk Canyon and Trail Canyon. Smoke and temporary area closures are expected. Visit fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln for updates.

Fire restrictions in Lincoln National Forest have been lifted and the fire danger lowered to “Moderate” across all districts as of July 3. Officials credit recent rainfall and improved conditions, but remind visitors to follow key fire prevention rules. Fire season is not over—campfires must be attended, fireworks remain banned, and safety remains a shared priority.

Join us July 9 for a South Fork Post-Fire Recovery Public Meeting at ENMU–Ruidoso, 5–7 p.m. with a pre-meeting help session from 4–5 p.m. Learn about post-fire assistance for private landowners, including federal and state recovery programs, cost-sharing, and technical guidance. Attend in person or online via Microsoft Teams.

One year after the South Fork and Salt fires, summer 2025 brings signs of renewal and forward momentum. This issue includes council updates, monsoon safety tips, park and utility improvements, student and museum honors, job openings, and upcoming events—all reflecting the energy and resilience of our community.

The Smokey Bear Ranger District Office in Ruidoso remains open weekdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., despite a June 30 shift to appointment-only service at the Alamogordo Supervisors Office. Sacramento and Guadalupe offices also remain open, with adjusted schedules. Full Forest Service contact info at: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/offices.

The Village of Ruidoso has launched a Monsoon Season Awareness page to help residents and visitors stay informed during summer storms. The resource includes safety tips, emergency alerts, and the RAIN (Ruidoso All-Hazard Information Network) map, which highlights flood-prone areas, road conditions, and real-time weather updates.

The official website for Elk Meadows, Ruidoso’s new workforce housing development, is now live at ElkMeadowsApartments.com. Learn about unit layouts, supportive services, and project updates as this 72-unit community takes shape to meet the housing needs of local families and essential workers.

One year after the South Fork Fire, the Village of Ruidoso honors a year of courage, compassion, and community recovery. Join the June 17 remembrance event at Wingfield Park and explore ongoing support resources. Full details at ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire-anniversary.

Following the June 10 Council meeting, Ruidoso’s Water Resources Department released its 2023–2025 water monitoring report. It highlights groundwater hydrographs from multiple wells, Eagle Creek flow data, monthly storage levels across major water tanks, and Grindstone Reservoir trends. It also outlines wildfire-related monitoring interruptions and the Village’s adaptive management strategies.

Village servers will be relocated starting at 2:30 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time, email, phones, and online services will be unavailable. Normal operations will resume Monday, June 16. Emails received after the Friday cutoff will be reviewed and answered on Monday. Thank you for your understanding during this scheduled update.

The Wingfield Heritage House Museum has earned a 2025 AASLH Award of Excellence for its radio series Ruidoso Rewind. Airing weekly on KRUI, the show highlights stories from Ruidoso’s past and their ties to state and national history. Written by Museum Manager Stephanie Long and produced by Greg Widener, episodes are available at 1490krui.com.

Effective June 5, the fire danger rating across all three districts of Lincoln National Forest has been lowered from “very high” to “high.” Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in effect. Visitors are urged to stay alert and follow all safety guidelines. Details: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln

Summer returns to Ruidoso with renewed energy, community pride, and reflection. From the anniversary of last year’s fires to the excitement of horse racing season, concerts, and outdoor adventures, the village embraces resilience and celebration. Explore events, updates, and ways to connect in this month’s newsletter. Click to read and be part of what makes Ruidoso shine.