Crews, DC-10 continue to fight Little Bear Ruidoso fire

From KRQE-TV.com - by Nancy Laflin and Gabrielle Burkhart - RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) - At least 234 structures have burned in the very big Little Bear Fire in the Lincoln National Forest. Officials say 224 residential structures have burned and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed. Teams were on the ground Tuesday surveying the damage which means that number will likely grow.  Governor Susana Martinez has declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County, freeing up emergency funding and making additional state resources available for the community and for the firefight. Nearly 1,000 people fighting this fire and a DC-10 jetliner that can lay down 12,000 foot path of retardant has arrived from Arizona.  Officials say 36,000 acres have burned, which has not changed from Tuesday morning.  They also say anywhere from 154 to 175 structures have been destroyed. Those structures include homes, barns even dog houses.  Approximately 200 homes have been evacuated, mainly north of Ruidoso.  The town of Ruidoso is fine.  The incident commander says weather is a huge factor and that there's more moisture in the air Tuesday afternoon.  However, they are worried about lightning strikes and wind that come with that storm. Read more

Crews, DC-10 continue to fight Little Bear Ruidoso fire