'You find the good moments': If Ruidoso native who stayed behind watches over community, spreads joy amid disaster

Jun. 25—RUIDOSO — On Tuesday afternoon, Logan Fleharty drove up a few winding dirt roads. As he passed burnt juniper and pine trees he looked at homes that have been destroyed by the South Fork Fire.

When Fleharty, also known as Logan Fle, arrived at Elk Ridge Escapes, he got out of his pickup, walked to a hen house and said, "Chickie, chickie," before providing a dozen chickens water and feed.

"In the devastation," he said, "you find the good moments."

He said he drives around to feed chickens and other animals in and around Ruidoso at least once a day. This is in addition to helping various animal groups with displaced animals.

Since the South Fork and Salt wildfires began to rage on June 17, Fleharty has driven by homes and checked on people's animals and properties as he continues to stay as positive as he can be, just over a week after fires destroyed parts of his hometown and surrounding areas.

Fleharty is a co-owner of Scorpion Tattoos in Ruidoso, and while most people left during the evacuation, including his co-owners, James Flores and Julian Flores, he stayed.

He said he admits he was nervous after deciding to stay behind, but he made sure not to get in any first responder or utility crew members' way. Instead, he patrolled areas to make sure no one looted anyone's homes, along with watching over his neighbors' animals.

Fleharty said he has been documenting his efforts on Instagram, which has videos and images from the destruction and encouraging messages for the community.

Because of Fleharty, many residents learned if their homes and neighborhoods survived. Fleharty said at least 20 people have told him "we're happy you're here."

He said he rides around with two companions in his pickup named "Ron Burgundy:" His 3-year-old rottweiler Crockadilla (or "Road Dog") and a mannequin named Ken that once belonged to his father.

Fleharty said he has driven over 5,000 miles in the area with Crockadilla and Ken, visiting about 30 homes a day and highlighting the hard work first responders are doing. On his way to looking at the homes, he waves at utility workers and firefighters then hands them cold beverages.

He said, while he gets tired and whenever he thinks about the homes people lost, he gets rejuvenated and continues on.

It's great to see the impact Logan is having on the community, Downshift Brewing Co. co-owner Eddie Gutierrez said.

Fleharty said he has raised about $62,000 as of Tuesday afternoon to go to first responders and people most affected by the fires.

'We're ready for action'

On Tuesday morning, a few motorists, including the driver of a Ruidoso Fire Department pickup, honked their horns and waved at Fleharty. A few minutes later, James Flores and Julian Flores walked up to the front of the tattoo parlor. The three men embraced and wept.

"Logan is an adopted brother," James said.

Tuesday was the first day they were back at the shop, though they are still getting the place ready for customers.

It's a lot of emotions, James said about the past eight days.

"Too much," Julian replied.

The three men were ready to celebrate a successful tattoo event in the village when the fires broke out on June 17. Fortunately, the fire missed the tattoo parlor and many other businesses in the area.

"We're lucky to be here," James Flores said.

Scorpion Tattoos will host a fundraiser on July 7 with tattoo parlors from all over the country that will all go to Fleharty's fundraiser.

"I'm tired of crying," James Flores said. "We're ready for action."

If people are interested in donating, they can check out @Logan-Fleharty on Venmo.

To ensure the money goes to the people who need it most, victims of the fire, James Flores said the owners are talking with village officials and other local leaders about setting up a separate account just for the donations.