Wild animals forced into the village of Ruidoso by the McBride Fire are returning to their native habitats, much to the relief of concerned residents.
The McBride Fire burned 6,159 acres and claimed two lives but stood at 89% containment as of late April, KOB 4 reported.
Evacuation orders were lifted and residents are returning to their homes. There should be fewer sightings of wild animals, something that became common when the fire first broke out and was difficult to contain. The flames and heavy smoke in the forest forced animals to move to safer areas, including the village.
"Those animals are smart, and they get out of the way of the fire and so they're being displaced, and some of them are coming down into the village," Laura Rabon, public information officer for the McBride and Nogal Canyon fires, told KOB 4 at the time. "So, we've been seeing an increase in all sorts of wildlife, including elk, deer, smaller animals as well, as they try to escape the fire."
A KOB 4 crew reported that it spotted a herd of deer and elk crossing a busy street in Ruidoso.
Officials warned residents not to approach wildlife or any animals that remain in the village.
"These are not tame animals,” Rabon said. "They are not livestock. They're not pets. They're not used to being around people, so we're really recommending, please, keep your distance from them."
Officials noted there were many instances where pet owners either released their pets or left them behind when they evacuated. That created an increased number of stray cats and dogs to go along with uncontained livestock, KOB 4 reported.
“People were just releasing their animals to give them the best chance for survival when this first started,” Rabon said.
As residents return home, they should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid any downed power lines or damaged trees, KOB 4 said. The Ruidoso Convention Center remains open, and the Red Cross and Salvation Army are on-site, providing hot meals, water, and support. T-Mobile is offering free mobile phones.
"The fire initially began around 1:36 p.m. April 12 and burned 4,312 acres within a few hours. 207 homes have been lost since it began on McBride Drive," KOB 4 said.
