The fire broke out on the Mescalero Apache Reservation on Monday morning, Xinhua news agency quoted the New Mexico Forestry Division as saying.

The forest department said in an update that around 1,400 houses and other structures were destroyed.

The village of Ruidoso, located about 7,700 west of the reservation, was ordered to be evacuated due to the growing fire.

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said the death was the only death recorded as of Tuesday.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency for Lincoln and Otero counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation.