Fire burns structures near Ruidoso Downs; now under control

June 17, 2011

a fire that destroyed several homes in just a short amount of time -- is under control right now. the ruidoso mayor says at last check 8 structures burned. and investigators are looking for the person of interest, who may have started that fire. cristina rodda has been gathering deils from the newsroom. she kicks off our team coverage. the fire forced people to grab what they could and leave their homes-- before the fast moving flames reached them. this chopper video shows just how extensive the devastation is. the ruidoso mayor says as many as 30 acres may have burned. he adds that air crafts are dropping fire retardant on the firew. ruidoso police dispatchers say the fire started around 2:30 on the south side of highway 70 near highway 37-- behind k-bob's restaurant. a very large area was evacuated from k-bob's restaurant to the wal-mart in ruidoso downs. we spoke to a ruidoso man living two miles away from the fire-- and prepared to flee his home if necessary. "i can see a lot of smoke and a lot of flames...hitting it with fire retardant. we still have smoke and we still have a lot of wind blowing the ruidoso news is reporting that investigators are searching for a person of interest seen near the area where the fire started. he was seen wearing a white shirt and had a backpack. he was walking toward walmart. a shelter for evacuees is set up at christ church -- also known as gateway church on 415 sudderth drive. we're told that evacuation orders may be lifted as early as tonight. live from the newsroom cristina rodda kob eyewitness news four. our joe bartels just arrived on the scene not too long ago ... he joins us now over the phone with what he's seeing... joe? the dry conditions... and wind are not helping crews trying to get that fire under control tonight. chief meteorologist jason stiff is here with a look at what firefighters are up against right now.