2025 Wildfires & Floods
Latest News & Executive Orders
To view the latest news releases and executive orders please visit the wildfire newsroom.
Flooding
Lincoln County
FEMA Individual Assistance is available
Financial assistance available to individuals, households and businesses in Lincoln County with losses or damage caused by the flooding on July 8. Residents can apply for assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. MST.
Help with applications is available at the Disaster Resource Center.
Recovery Resources for residents
Residents can now access temporary hot food via EBT
Effective immediately, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in Lincoln, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Otero, Sierra, Socorro and Torrance counties can temporarily use their EBT cards to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods from deli departments at authorized retailers through August 30.
Donation Distribution sites
- Angus Nazarene Church, Mon-Thurs, 9-4
103 Bonita Park Rd, Angus, NM 88316 - 1st Christian Church (Starting Friday), Mon-Sat, 9-4
1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345 - Gateway Church, Mon-Friday 9-4
415 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345 - First Baptist of Ruidoso Downs, Mon-Friday, 8:30-4pm
26367 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
Mosquitos and West Nile virus
To protect you and your family from West Nile virus infection:
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 for use on skin, and permethrin for use on clothing. Follow label directions when using insect repellents.
- Wear protective clothing such as loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks.
- The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing or avoid outdoor activities during these times.
- Eliminate water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as old tires, and regularly change the water in birdbaths, wading pools and pet water bowls. Make sure rain barrels are tightly screened.
- Keep windows and doors closed if not screened. If you leave your house doors or windows open, make sure they have screens that fit tightly and have no holes.
IRS Tax Informaiton for Disaster Areas
The Internal Revenue Service announced today tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of New Mexico affected by severe storms, flooding, and landslides that began on June 23, 2025. These taxpayers now have until Feb. 2, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
How to Help
Donate funds
The Community Foundation of Lincoln County is collecting monetary donations to provide support to residents and the community.
Donate Items
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Humane Society Resale Shop, Mon-Sat, 10-4
25962 US-70, Ruidoso, NM 88345 - Angus Nazarene Church, Mon-Thurs, 9-4
103 Bonita Park Rd, Angus, NM 88316 - River Crossing Church, Mon-Friday, 10am-3p
1950 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Donation items being accepted are:
- Personal hygiene items
- Linens & blankets
- NEW undergarments – underwear and socks
- Bottled water or sprots drinks
- Nonperishable snack items
- Paper products – paper towels and toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies
- Pet supplies
Doña Ana County
Ready. Set. Go.
The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.
You’ve Evacuated. Now what?
Experiencing a destructive wildfire can be devastating. This guide was written to help New Mexico communities recover after wildfire.
Fire Prevention
Please click the links below for information to protect your home from wildfires, evacuation preparedness etc.
Wildfire season is here. Pack a go-bag and keep it Near!
it is vital to have an emergency kit and an Evacuation plan in place for you and your family
Whether you live in the wildland-urban interface or in a rural area in the mountains, communication is key during wildfire season. Be sure to register with your local government’s emergency management office for text or email notifications and connect with your county or city’s social media. The Ready, Set, Go! New Mexico program provides tips and tools to prepare for a wildfire emergency and create a personal action plan.
Ready – Get Ready
- Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of large animals, such as horses, in your plan.
- Put together an emergency supply kit or go-bag. The NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Preparedness Guide is a good resource for items to include. Keep an extra kit in your vehicle. Don’t forget important family documents like birth certificates, wills, deeds and insurance policies.
The 6 Ps checklist:
- People and pets
- Papers, phone numbers and important documents
- Prescriptions, vitamins and eyeglasses
- Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
- Personal computer hard drive and disks
- “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash
Set – Be Prepared to Go
- Monitor fire weather conditions and fire status. See inciweb.nwcg.gov and nmfireinfo.com. Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for updates and check official information sources on the internet
- Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets in place, and make sure all family members have a copy of evacuation and contact information.
- Load your supplies and go-bags in your vehicle.
Go – Act Early, Evacuate
- Do not wait to be advised to leave if there is a possible threat to your home or evacuation route. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. If you are advised to leave by local authorities, do not hesitate. If you don’t follow the Go order, understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you.
- Head to a predetermined location in a low-risk area, such as a relative’s house, Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, motel or school. Identify several routes in case your first choice is closed due to the fire.
Helpful Resources
After Wildfire Resource Guide
Experiencing a destructive wildfire can be devastating. This guide was written to help New Mexico communities recover after wildfire. It includes information on how to mobilize your community, a list of resources available to communities and individuals for assistance, and a technical guide with information about post-fire treatments to address the catastrophic effects of a wildfire on the land and to prepare for potential flooding. If you are reading this guide before a wildfire occurs, use it to help you plan ahead. This guide is intended to provide useful information during this difficult time, and to start you on the road to recovery.
General Resources
HELP NM – provides financial assistance to those who lack a fixed or inadequate residence and currently reside in a shelter, transitional housing or hotel.
NM Crisis and Access Line – Professional counselors and peer support.
NM Children Youth and Families Department – provides an array of prevention, intervention, rehabilitative and after-care services to New Mexico children and their families