Sources for Ruidoso fire evacuees (2024)

The following is a list of resources for evacuees from Lincoln County and Ruidoso as provided by the Chaves County Health Council and other organizations. Contact the respective organization for availability or needs.

Day camp for young people affected by Ruidoso fires

June 25

Project: Camp is being operated at the New Mexico Military Institute for young family members, ages 6 to 16, of Ruidoso fire evacuees as well as others affected by this emergency, such as children of first responders. It's from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday in the Pearson Auditorium. Lunch and snacks provided.

State agencies arrive in Roswell to assist evacuees

June 21, City of Roswell:

Numerous state agencies have representatives at the Roswell Convention Center, 912 N. Main St. to assist Ruidoso residents who have been displaced by the wildfires. Times may vary, but they are generally available during usual daytime business hours. Note: Enter on the west side off of North Richardson Avenue.

The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is speaking with people in order to assess needs and connect them with resources.

The Income Support Division is offering applications for food-assistance programs such as EBT and SNAP, as well as other assistance programs.

The Human Services Department has Peer Support Workers available for crisis counseling.

The Department of Workforce Solutions can assist with applications for unemployment benefits and disaster unemployment help.

The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance is answering questions about insurance, helping people file insurance claims and checking the status of insurance coverages.

Most of these state agencies will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice.

June 23: Applications for Federal Disaster Assistance are now open. Individuals in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA application helpline at (800) 621-3362. Calls are accepted daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Time.

Insurance and Medicaid needs

June 21, City of Roswell:

In addition to the state agencies at the Convention Center, Molina Healthcare is signing up people for medical insurance and Medicaid. Farmers Insurance has its mobile unit in the parking lot to the west of the Convention Center.

Beginning Saturday, June 22, and going through July 4, other insurance providers will be at the facility from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to assist people with Medicaid benefit questions. Representatives are expected from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Presbyterian, and Western Sky Community Care.

Donation requests:

June 19: Mescalero Apache Tribe: Specialized infant formula donations are needed: Similac Sensitive, Similac NeoSure, Nutrimigen Hypoallergenic, Enfamil NeuroPro, Enfamil A.R., Parent Choice Sensitive, Basic/Regular Formula (any brand). Donations can be accepted at Mescalero Community Center. Contact Christina Byers 575-808-2197. A link to the Mescalero Apache Tribe GoFundMe page can be found on its Facebook page. It carries the "Donation protected" certificate from GoFundMe.

Donations:

June 22: Rock4Doso — local musicians are planning a benefit concert series for Ruidoso. All funds go to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. Details are TBA, for updates, visit thirdeyeswitch.com/rock4doso and find them on Facebook.

Hope Gonzales Center, 405 E. Third St., Jocelyn Smith, 575-208-9509

National Guard Armory, 1 W Earl Cummings Loop, Trenton Armstrong, 575-317-1828, trenton.w.armstong.mil@army.mil

Money donations can be made at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4993.

You can donate through Zelle to firesupport@pioneer.bank. They are accepting donations at all Pioneer Bank branches across New Mexico to aid those affected by the fires.

Monetary donations can be made to The Salvation Army at newmexico.salvationarmy.org or by texting RUIDOSO to 51555. Those wishing to donate via check can mail checks to: The Salvation Army Roswell Corps Community Center, attn: Ruidoso Fire Relief, PO Box 897, Roswell, NM 88202-0897, with “Ruidoso Fire Relief” on the memo line.

As of June 20: According to the New Mexico Corrections Department, donations are being accepted at any probation and parole office in New Mexico and at any New Mexico Corrections Department Prison facility. What you can donate: non-perishable food items, new personal care items, blankets, new sleeping bags, new air mattresses, new toys, reading books, coloring books, dog and cat food, diapers and wipes. For more information, visit cd.nm.gov.

Missing friends and relatives:

Reunite Ruidoso, a public group on Facebook with more than 3,900 members at press time, was established on Monday as a platform to help reconnect friends and family impacted by the Ruidoso fires until more formal support is established.

June 19 updates,City of Roswell: Anyone seeking to locate family or friends who they lost contact with during the fire evacuations should call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). Once you call, select 0 from the menu to reach a Red Cross agent.

Volunteer coordinators:

New Mexico Baptist Disaster Relief, 575-623-2640

Hope Gonzales Center, Jocelyn Smith, 575-208-9509

Childcare:

The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is here to support families impacted by New Mexico wildfires. Child care is free for evacuees. During this time of need, local child care professionals can provide your child with a safe, healthy, high-quality, learning environment and well-balanced meals. All you need to have to apply is a picture ID. Call to apply: 1-800-832-1321. Email Questions to: ececd-ecs-atrisk@state.nm.us.

Shelter/RVs:

June 21: A shelter has been set up by Eddy County Emergency Management and City of Carlsbad with the assistance of Carlsbad Schools. It will be open starting at 5:30 p.m. today and can be found at 505 Alta Vista St., Carlsbad, NM. To volunteer, send a text with your name and availability to 575-499-5111 or call 575-628-5454.

June 19 update: City of Roswell — The New Mexico Wildfire State-Sponsored Help Line can assist people affected by the wildfires with issues of housing, transportation and other assistance. It can also be used by those wishing to inquire about volunteering during the relief efforts. It is a 24/7 helpline at 833-NMFire (833-663-4736).

Church on the Move, 901 W. Brasher, 575-622-7011

Roswell Dream Center, 2700 W. Second St.

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, 52B University Blvd., 575-624-7000

New Mexico Military Institute, Godfrey Center (entrance on the west side), 101 W. College Blvd., 575-622-6250

Christ Community Church, 2960 N. Scenic Dr., Alamogordo

Mountain View Church, 1300 Cuba Ave., text 214-931-5702

Artesia Recreation Center, 612 N. Eighth St., 575-746-9009

Roswell Civic Center, 912 N Main St., 575-624-6860

Carrizozo High School, 800 D Ave., Carrizozo

La Gracia de Jesucristo, 1714 W 2nd St.

RV Parking

Eastern New Mexico State Fair, 2500 SE Main St., 575-623-9411, ext. 3 or call Mark Steen at 575-420-3838

Eddy County Fair, Artesia, 575-513-9139

Lea County Fair, Lovington, Wyatt Duncan, 575-333-0252

Curry County Fairgrounds, Clovis, KC, 575-309-3851

Crossroads Assembly of God, empty field at N. Union Avenue and W. Country Club Road

Roswell Civic Center, 912 N Main St., 575-624-6860

Grace Community Church, 935 W. Mescalero Road, 575-623-5438

Stables/animals

Eastern New Mexico State Fair, 2500 SE Main St., 575-623-9411, ext. 3 or call Mark Steen at 575-420-3838

Country Club Animal Hospital, 301 W. Country Club — dogs and cats as room allows, 575-623-9191

Eddy County Fair, Artesia, horses/cattle 575-308-2367, small animals 575-513-0479

Exotic Pets

Alameda Park Zoo, 575-415-0817

Hot, prepared food

(B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

B/L — Roswell Independent School Summer Program (open to all)

- ENMU-R University & Byrne streets B/L

- Carpenter Park – 300 E. Buena Vista St.

- Skate Park -1620 W. College Blvd.

- Poe Corn Park – 200 S. Garden Ave.

- Roswell High School – 500 W. Hobbs St.

- Goddard High School - 702 E. Country Club Road

- Missouri Elementary – 700 S. Deming St.

L/D — Pecos Flavors Winery, 412 W. Second St., $12 credit

L/D — Papa Murphy’s Pizza Food Truck, 3116 N Main St.

L/D — Dominos Pizza

B/L/D — Valley Cafe, 801 W. Brasher Road

D — Iglesia Apostolica de la Fe en Cristo, 2600 S. Union Ave.

D — Grace Community Church, 935 W. Mescalero Road, 575-623-5438

Food Bank Truck, SENM Fairgrounds

Encanto Events Center, 1010 S. Main St., 575-840-3943

Taco Loco Food Truck, 200 S. Main St — Free breakfast burritos, 50% discount on orders, free drinks

Almas`s, 1802 W Main St, Artesia — Free meals to Ruidoso evacuees

Pecos Flavors and Winery & Bistro, 412 W. Second Ave., is giving $12 credit per person for lunch or dinner for the people evacuated due to the Ruidoso fires. There are doggie water bowls on the patio for pets.

Hay/Animal Supplies:

Hay 575-921-4771

Exotic pet food:

Alameda Park Zoo, 575-415-0817

Roswell Humane Society, 701 E. McGaffey St.

Food/clothing/supplies donations

June 19: Assistance League of Chaves County Thrift Store is opening their doors at 100 N. Union Ave. Ruidoso evacuees can come Wednesday thru Friday, 2-4 p.m. and Saturday, 9-11 a.m., and receive donated goods. Please bring a valid ID for proof of residency.

Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, 405 W. Country Club Road

Senior Circle, 300 W. Country Club Road

Medical:

Reinecke Medical & Chiropractic Center is offering free medical care and prescription refills — 400 E. College Blvd., Suite E, 575-623-3155.

Sam’s Club is refilling prescriptions.

For rental hosts and operators:

New Mexico and El Paso Short-Term Rental Associations Launch Emergency Accommodation Program for Ruidoso Fire victims and emergency responders have activated a joint emergency accommodation program aimed at providing immediate relief to residents displaced by the fires and emergency personnel. Under this program, short-term rental hosts and property owners in the El Paso area and New Mexico counties around Ruidoso can match their available properties with families and emergency personnel affected by the Ruidoso fires.

To participate and fill out the form, visit newmexicostra.org.

Other services:

- Uncle Suds Laundry, 913 S. Sunset Ave., offers free laundry and laundry supplies to evacuees of the Ruidoso fires. For more information, call 575-779-1929.

- Packages that has been shipped via FedEX to Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Alto, or Mescalero can be picked up at the FedEX located at 206 East College Blvd Roswell, NM, 88201 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. All packages will be held and not returned to the sender. For more information, people can call 1-800-Go-FEDEX.

- The Roswell Transit system is allowing people evacuees of the South Fork and Salt fires to ride free of charge

- Alien Coach Lines is providing free rides within Roswell city limits.

- Olympian Academy (hair salon and school) in the Roswell mall is offering free shampoo, condition and blow dry services to Ruidoso fire evacuees. Also beard trim and shave to those in need. Hours of operation are: Tuesday thru Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Students Contracted hours)

- The UPS Store Roswell, 115 E College Blvd., offers free fax, email, scan services and free three months mailbox services to the evacuated residents of Ruidoso. For more information, call 575-623-6245.

- Shower facilities are available at the Franciscan Center, 510 S. Lincoln Ave. Towels and toiletries are at hand.