Ruidoso, New Mexico. In a significant development, federal investigators have determined that the Salt Fire, which burned over 7,000 acres in mid-June, was human-caused. This revelation comes as part of a broader investigation into a series of fires in the Ruidoso area.
According to the report from KOB.com, “Federal investigators said special agents with the FBI began investigating these fires in early May. They said the investigation intensified on around June 18 when the Salt Fire sparked and rapidly burned 7,000 acres.”
The investigation, which involved multiple federal agencies, identified at least 16 separate human-caused fires in a 25 square-mile area between May 3 and June 18.
Thora Padilla, president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, expressed shock at the news, stating, “Who would do this to their own people? How could you do this to your own people?”
The investigation has reportedly focused on a couple who may be responsible for these fires. While no charges have been filed yet, investigators claim to have probable cause based on the evidence collected.
One troubling aspect of the investigation is that one of the persons of interest claims to be a wildland firefighter. Padilla commented on this, saying, “That part, too, is very troubling, you know, that we would have people that are trained as wildland firefighters, that might be doing these kind of things.”
Evidence linking the couple to at least six fires includes shoe prints matching a pair of Vans shoes seized during a search warrant, and witness descriptions of a dark-colored Jeep matching one owned by the couple.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these fires and the ongoing threat of flooding, Padilla emphasizes the need for justice, stating, “There’s always consequences for your actions, you know, and at this level of what’s happened. We can’t just let it lie.”
The investigation is ongoing, and charges have yet to be filed. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
