Flood Mitigation Work to Begin in South Fork Fire Burn Scar

Lincoln National Forest announces plans to reduce flood risk in affected canyons.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico has announced that it will begin implementing flood mitigation work in canyons affected by the 2024 South Fork Fire. The fire burned over 17,500 acres and damaged around 1,400 structures, with heavy rainfall on the burn scar leading to flash flooding and further damage in the Village of Ruidoso. The mitigation efforts will focus on strategically placing large pieces of dead standing trees in stream channels and floodplains to help reduce water velocity, limit erosion, and begin long-term restoration.

Why it matters

The South Fork Fire caused significant damage to the local area, and the subsequent flooding has continued to pose a threat to the community. These flood mitigation efforts are crucial to protecting the region and preventing further destruction from heavy rainfall on the burn scar.

The details

The flood mitigation work will focus on Perk Canyon, Brady Canyon, and Upper Cedar Creek Canyon. Crews will cut down and place large pieces of dead standing trees in the stream channels and floodplains to help reduce water velocity, limit erosion, and begin the long-term restoration process after the fire. Temporary area closures may be in place for several days while the work is being done, and visitors are asked to watch for posted warning signs along roads and trails near the active mitigation sites.

  • The South Fork Fire occurred in 2024.
  • The Lincoln National Forest announced the flood mitigation work on February 13, 2026.
  • The flood mitigation work is scheduled to begin in 2024.

The players

Lincoln National Forest

The national forest in New Mexico that is implementing the flood mitigation work in the areas affected by the South Fork Fire.

Village of Ruidoso

The local community that was impacted by the South Fork Fire and subsequent flooding on the burn scar.

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What’s next

The flood mitigation work is scheduled to begin in 2024, and temporary area closures may be in place for several days while the work is being done.

The takeaway

These flood mitigation efforts are crucial to protecting the Ruidoso community and preventing further destruction from heavy rainfall on the South Fork Fire burn scar. By strategically placing large pieces of dead trees, the Lincoln National Forest aims to reduce water velocity, limit erosion, and begin the long-term restoration process in the affected canyons.