FBI offers reward for information on Ruidoso fire perpetrator

A $10,000 reward is being offered by the FBI to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for starting the New Mexico wildfires.

The FBI’s announcement of the reward on Saturday, June 22, is the first time that law enforcement has claimed that a person or group of people could be responsible for starting the deadly fires. Two people died in the fires.

“The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for starting the fires,” officials with the FBI’s Albuquerque Division said in a press release.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire began June 17 near Ruidoso, New Mexico. The fires destroyed approximately 1,400 structures and displaced more than 8,000 people.

More: The number of confinements for the Ruidoso fires on the rise; residents expected to return Monday: live

“The FBI is assisting our local, state, federal and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation into the fires near Ruidoso, New Mexico,” FBI officials said. “We are asking for the public’s help in identifying the cause of these fires.”

Anyone with information about the cause of the fires is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit the information online at tips.fbi.gov. People can also text “BIAMMU” to 847411 then “MESCALERO FIRE + tip” or just BIAMMU to 847411 and tip.

Aaron Martinez can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.