Samaritan’s Purse is providing relief around the hard-hit town of Ruidoso.
U.S Disaster Relief teams are now in Central New Mexico where multiple wildfires have consumed over 25,000 acres and, sadly, left two people dead. We are focusing our efforts on the town of Ruidoso, located between the Salt and South Fork fires. The latter alone has devastated 17,000 acres and 1,400 structures, over half of which are homes.
Disaster Relief Unit #2—a tractor trailer stocked with relief supplies—arrived Monday, June 24, at our host church, River Crossing Ministries in Ruidoso. Volunteers are already on the ground. As soon as it is safe to do so, they will begin helping homeowners clean up debris and sift through ashes in search of treasured mementos—a process that proves to be healing for those who have suffered such devastation. Please go to spvolunteer.org to find out specific details for volunteering in New Mexico.
This is the third time Samaritan’s Purse has responded to this area of New Mexico. We deployed after the McBride Fire in 2022 and the Little Bear Fire in 2012. Leaders at River Crossing Ministries indicate that this year’s fire is even worse than the previous two.
Heavy rains in the area have helped to douse the flames, but there is now also the threat of mudslides and flooding. Crews have yet to contain the blazes.
Please pray for the more than 8,000 people who have evacuated the area and for those who have lost their homes.
“I am deeply saddened for the families who have lost their homes and belongings in this latest New Mexico fire,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “As they begin their long road of recovery, I want them to know that Samaritan’s Purse is standing with them—but more importantly, that God is with them. Though their circumstances seem bleak, I want them to know that Jesus Christ loves them and has not forgotten them. Please join me in praying for these affected families and for our Samaritan’s Purse teams who are responding in Jesus’ Name.”
VOLUNTEER WITH U.S. DISASTER RELIEF
Samaritan’s Purse currently has deployments to help with tornado and flood recovery in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma. Volunteers are urgently needed at all sites.
This article was originally published June 24 and was updated June 26.
