RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Residents near areas burned by New Mexico's Little Bear Fire have been dealing with a new worry this weekend -- flash flooding.
Lincoln County Emergency Services ordered residents in low-lying areas and around creeks or streams to evacuate, after the area was hit by heavy rain yesterday. As much as three-quarter of an inch fell in some spots. They have since been allowed to return to their homes.
The Little Bear Fire has destroyed 242 homes and commercial structures. It had burned 59 square miles and was 60 percent contained as of Saturday night.
A lightning strike outside the resort town of Ruidoso sparked the fire on June 4. Days later, high winds sent embers more than a mile from the blaze's end, causing the inferno to grow.
