By KRWG News
Ruidoso, New Mexico – RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRWG) Firefighters have stopped the spread of a blaze that erupted in a wooded Ruidoso neighborhood and quickly engulfing several homes.
Ruidoso village officials say evacuated residents were allowed to return home about 8 p.m. Thursday.
They say the afternoon fire charred about 10 acres, burned eight structures and forced the evacuation of residents from the Pinecliff area east to DiPaolo Hill near the Ruidoso Downs Race Track.
The 150 firefighters who were working the blaze managed to keep the flames on the south side of U.S. 70.
Two Ruidoso police officers were treated and released at a hospital for smoke inhalation.
Village Manager Debi Lee says the quick response to the fire kept it from becoming a much bigger incident.
Fire officials say more than 300 homes were saved.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG