The Lincoln Local

06/06/2026

Monsoon Season Sandbag Points of Distribution (POD)

Updated & posted: Monday, June 1, 2026

The Village of Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management is currently working with the State of New Mexico in partnership with DHSEM and NMDOT to get sandbag operations up and running.

At this time, sandbags are not available for residents, and there is not yet a confirmed date for when sandbagging equipment and supplies will be on-site.

Once equipment and supplies are delivered, Sandbag Points of Distribution will be established at:

Wingfield Sandbag POD
311 Center Street, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Convention Center Sandbag POD
111 Sierra Blanca Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

This year, residents will be required to fill their own sandbags. Sand and a sandbag filling machine will be available at each location to help facilitate filling.

Residents who need assistance may be able to receive support from Lincoln County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) on a case-by-case basis.
📧 [email protected]

Please check back for updates as sandbag operations are finalized.

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

Lincoln National Forest Temporary Closures

The U.S. Forest Service - Lincoln National Forest has issued a temporary closure order for portions of the Smokey Bear Ranger District due to hazardous flooding risks associated with the 2026 monsoon season.

Affected closures include:
- Cedar Creek Trailhead
- Fitness Trail Trailhead
- Perk Canyon Trailhead
- Cedar Creek West Trailhead
- Cedar Creek Day Use Area
- Sam Tobias Group Site

The following trail systems are also temporarily closed:
- Trail 13 North Cedar Creek
- Trail 90 Fitness Trail
- Trail 92 Perk Canyon
- Trail 93 Perk Ridge
- Trail 93A Ranger
- Trail 120A Lower Cedar Creek
- Trail 120C Beginner Loop

The Forest Service states that these areas remain vulnerable to dangerous flooding impacts and ongoing storm-related hazards throughout monsoon season. Repair and maintenance needs will continue to be evaluated and prioritized during the closure period of June 2, 2026 through September 30, 2026, unless rescinded earlier.

Read more via our website: https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info/l7gf2mp8m9l3zpx4ys66sr3fbjmrs3

View current alerts, maps, and official closure information via the Lincoln National Forest Alerts & Closures page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts

06/03/2026

ℹ️Seven Cabins Fire-EVACUATIONS LIFTEDℹ️
In coordination with Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 and based on current fire conditions, Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services is lifting ALL remaining evacuation statuses associated with the Seven Cabins Fire.

Lincoln County will continue coordinating closely with the Incident Management Team and our local response partners to support ongoing operations as needed and will adjust accordingly.

Thank you to our residents for your patience, cooperation, and support throughout this incident. For the latest fire information, continue to follow check Lincolnready.com or the official Seven Cabins Fire page.

~Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services.

06/02/2026

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 @ 11:15 AM

Flash Flood Warning issued June 2 at 11:17 AM MDT until June 2 at 2:15PM MDT by US National Weather Service Albuquerque New Mexico 6/2/2026 - 11:17 AM MDT

Flash Flood Warning issued June 2 at 11:17 AM MDT until June 2 at 2:15 PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

DESCRIPTION
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flash Flood Warning for:
The South Fork and Salt burn scars in South Central Lincoln County in central New Mexico until 215 PM MDT.

At 11:17 AM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Salt Burn Scar with a building storm over the South Fork Burn Scar as well. Up to 0.9 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.75 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact
- Upper Canyon
- Brady Canyon
- Perk Canyon
- Cedar Creek
- Eagle Creek
- Rio Ruidoso drainages

Impacts will include but are not limited to all nearby reservoirs, bridges, culverts and roadways. Impacts to areas along the Rio Ruidoso may extend downstream of Ruidoso Downs. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

HAZARD
Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the South Fork Burn Scar, the Salt Burn Scar, and the Blue 2 Burn Scar..

IMPACT
Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the South Fork Scar,the Salt Burn Scar, and the Blue 2 Burn Scar.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include:
- Ruidoso
- Ruidoso Downs
- Alto
- Glencoe
- Hollywood
- Bonita

INSTRUCTIONS
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches in the South Fork Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety.

06/01/2026

Seven Cabins Fire Update – Lincoln County, New Mexico 6/1/26

Firefighters on the Seven Cabins Fire continue working to strengthen containment efforts east of Capitan. If conditions allow, crews may implement an indirect containment strategy by conducting a small burnout operation ahead of the fire. This tactic helps remove hazardous fuels in front of the advancing fire, allowing firefighters to safely bring low-intensity fire down steep and inaccessible slopes.

The operation is designed to:
✅ Increase containment opportunities
✅ Reduce fire perimeter complexity
✅ Improve firefighter safety
✅ Protect vegetation that helps reduce runoff and flash-flooding risks

If the burnout operation takes place, residents may notice increased smoke and visible flames in the area before forecasted rainfall arrives. Fire managers emphasize that firefighter and public safety remain the top priority.

Weather conditions today are expected to bring increased cloud cover along with scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Cooler, cloudier conditions can assist firefighting efforts by reducing fuel heating and slowing fire activity.

📸 Thank you to a CTFB subscriber for providing yesterday’s photo from the fire area. We appreciate the continued support and updates from those on the ground.

05/27/2026

Recovery work related to the South Fork Fire below Alto Lake started mid-May and is expected to continue through the end of August. Crews will be conducting contour felling of dead trees, woody debris removal, mastication, and erosion control work to help stabilize burned slopes and reduce erosion.

Contour felling places dead trees along the hillside to help slow water runoff, trap sediment, support new vegetation growth, and improve wildlife habitat. Mastication, also known as forestry mulching, uses specialized equipment to grind and shred woody debris, brush, and small trees to help reduce hazardous fuels and support restoration efforts.

During this project, trails below the Alto Lake dam, including the disc golf course, will be temporarily closed. Alto Lake is expected to remain open for fishing.