Massive fire in the forests of New Mexico, 2 people died, more than 1,400 buildings destroyed

Two people have died in a wildfire raging in southern New Mexico that has burned more than 1,400 homes and other buildings and forced the evacuation of about 8,000 residents of the mountain resort community of Ruidoso.
New Mexico State Police said Wednesday that the unidentified skeletal remains of a man were found in the driver's seat of a burned car. The second victim was identified as 60-year-old Patrick Pearson. The massive fire is burning about 135 miles southeast of Albuquerque, the state's largest city (in an area that has experienced numerous wildfires), including two deaths in 2022.
The governor asked President Biden to declare a disaster
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday asked President Joe Biden for a major disaster declaration for the South Fork and Salt fires, which have burned more than 23,000 acres (9,308 hectares) north and south of Ruidoso.
There was a devastating fire in the year 2022 as well
New Mexico has been in the grip of drought for nearly three decades. Droughts have made wildfires more destructive and more rapid. In 2022, the state suffered the largest fire in the continental United States, burning more than 341,000 acres.