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Flaming rainbows: pretty, but dangerous.

Bowls of burning chemicals across a desktop look great, but can cause injury

Although they look like fun, flaming demonstrations can be dangerous. Now, teachers’ and science groups have come out against one popular fiery demo, and in favor of a safer alternative. 

American Chemical Society

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By Bethany Brookshire

November 19, 2015 at 7:00 am

Students walking into a science class at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va., on October 30 thought they were going to see a fun, fiery demonstration. But instead of awe-inspiring chemistry, five got whisked to the hospital for burns on their faces, heads and arms.

The culprit? A demonstration called the “flame rainbow.”

Teachers start by placing a set of bowls containing metal salts across a table top. They soak each salt in methanol — a toxic, flammable alcohol — and then light it on fire. When done properly, each salt forms a lovely blazing flame in a different color. Arranged in the right order, they resemble a rainbow of fire.

But when the demo goes wrong, results can be disastrous. Now, two science groups have decided they had better issue warnings. For years, the American Chemical Society, or ACS, has been issuing warnings  about the demonstration. Last week, it released a video  showing a safer alternative. The same week, the National Science Teachers’ Association  issued a safety alert, begging teachers not to use methanol. Keep the flames, they say. Just leave the methanol behind.

The chemistry class in Virginia is not the first to have flaming rainbows go awry. One accident  at a Denver high school in 2014 produced a jet of fire that shot 15 feet and hit a student in the chest. “Since the start of 2011, I’ve found 18 incidents injuring at least 72 people,” says Jyllian Kemsley.  This chemist is a reporter for the ACS magazine Chemical and Engineering News , based in in Washington, D.C.

“You’re using methanol to burn something,” Kemsley notes. So these fires are perfectly predictable, she says. With such a highly flammable liquid, it isn’t a surprise that things could get out of control. But it never has to, she adds, because this demonstration doesn’t require methanol at all.

How the rainbow flame works

Teachers light this colorful fire by igniting metal salts soaked in methanol. These metal salts are made from pairs of ions — atoms with electrical charges. One ion in each pair is a metallic element — such as copper and potassium. The other ion — sulfur or chloride, for example — has an electrical charge that balances out the metal. This pairing creates a salt with no net electrical charge.

The color in the burning salts comes from the energy contained in their electrons — the negatively charged particles that move around the outer edges of atoms. These electrons become excited when energy is added — for instance, when you set the salt on fire. As the salt burns, the extra energy is lost — as light.

The color of that light depends on the amount of energy being released. Lithium salts burn a bright red. Calcium glows orange. Basic table salt burns yellow. The flames coming off of copper are bluish-green. Potassium burns violet.

With all of these salts burning different colors, all teachers have to do is line them up in the order of colors in a rainbow — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

“It’s a nice way to visualize what can seem abstract — what electrons are doing in an ion,” says Kemsley. The principle also can be used as an experiment. Students can light an unknown substance and record its color. That hue can help them figure out what is in the substance. “If you burn it and it comes up green, there’s a chance you’ve got copper in there,” Kemsley explains. “I think there’s value in doing that.” 

From demonstration to danger

The problems usually occur when the flames begin to go out. “You’ve got them all burning, and one goes out,” explains an industrial chemist and blogger that goes by the name of “Chemjobber.” Because he works in industry, he prefers not to give his name. But he has written many blog posts  about the dangers of the rainbow-flame demos.

As the flames go out, the students want to see more, he explains. “The teacher goes and pulls out the bulk bottle of methanol.” For safety, the teacher should pour some of the methanol into a tiny cup, and then add it onto the flames. But when in a hurry, a teacher may sometimes pour the liquid directly from the bottle.

Methanol burns with no color. It can be hard to tell where the fire is and where it’s going. If the experiment goes wrong, Chemjobber says, “There’s a flash effect. The flame goes back into the bottle [of methanol] and shoots out at the students” nearby.

“People need to be really aware of the worst case scenario,” says Chemjobber. “The worst case is really bad.” He stresses that these are not minor burns such as those from a hot pot. “It’s skin grafts and surgery and a trip to the burn unit. It’s going to take a long time to heal.”  High school student Calais Weber was burned  by a rainbow flame demonstration in 2006. As part of her treatment, she had to be put into a medically-induced coma. She remained in the hospital for two and a half months.

Keep the rainbow, ditch the methanol

There are safer ways to do the rainbow flame experiment, as the new ACS video  illustrates. Instead of pouring methanol into dishes of metal salts, teachers can dissolve the salts in water. Then they leave the ends of wooden sticks in the solution to soak overnight. Those sticks absorb the salty solution. When the teacher (or student) puts the ends of the wooden stick over a bunsen burner — a controlled-flame gas burner used in laboratories — the salts will transform the flame’s color.

It’s just one color at a time instead of a simultaneous rainbow. Still, Chemjobber argues that this version “is more tactile.” It lets people handle the sticks and burn them themselves. The downside: “It’s not as mesmerizing.” But if teachers feel compelled to go for the dramatic full- rainbow effect, he says, they should use a chemical hood, with plenty of protective equipment.

Teachers, Kemsley says, must “think through what can go wrong.” They need to ask themselves: “What’s the worst case scenario?” If the worst case involves a flaming fire of methanol, it’s probably best to try something else.

Students also need to ask themselves if the teacher is doing the experiment safely. If a student sees a situation that seems unsafe — such as a large, open bottle of methanol near open flames — it’s a good idea to speak up, and see if there’s a way to put the methanol in the cabinet during this demonstration. Otherwise those students should step back. Way back.

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Research note

Flame testing metal salts, what i want to do.

This demo was conducted as part of a fire science class at Parts and Crafts with elementary and middle school-aged students. The goal was three-fold:

Use the spectrometer to illustrate the difference between blackbody radiation and emissions spectrum (the lightbulb demo under " Things to Do with your Spectrometer ")

Capture emissions spectra of different metal salts

Do both of these things kitchen-counter-style, in the absence of any formal lab setup, in a way that passes my "Yep, I'll do this with kids!" threshold. This is my first time running a fire science class so navigating this threshold is an ongoing consideration.

Setup and materials

PLOTS spectrometer: We used an earlier version and didn't modify the arm at all. In future, we'll set up a better rig for more flexibility.

Butane torch: We used this version but any hand-held torch would do. Must produce a steady blue flame and be small enough to easily hold.

Metal salts: All chemicals were purchased from the Science Company. Preparation involved dipping popsicle sticks in water and then into their respective salts. We tested the following chemicals:

• Calcium chloride : CaCl2 (orange)
• Sodium chloride : NaCl (orange)
• Strontium chloride : SrCl2 (red)
• Copper chloride : CuCl2 (blue-green)
• Potassium chloride : KCl (lavender-orange)

Wires for testing: Copper, iron, zinc, and aluminum

My attempt and results

Flame tests

We tested strontium, copper, sodium, and potassium.

Good to know you can do this method and not burn the house down. Popsicle sticks + torch is quick and dirty but works in a pinch, especially if you don't have a bunsen burner handy.

Blackbody observations

Following the flame tests we did a very quick demo of blackbody radiation, comparing iron wire, copper wire, zinc wire, and aluminum foil according to a temperature gradient.

The goal was to identify which heat transfer (which wire heats faster) vs. temperature (which ultimately gets hotter) based on the color of the wire.

Questions and next steps

Swan bands Why are blue flames blue? ( great explanation here ) Given that "playing with matches" (and candles) is the most common interaction kids this age are going to have with fire, it seems useful to understand a little bit about what's going on here. Unfortunately the butane torch itself was not bright enough to get an emission spectrum for the free carbon.

Blackbody radiation When we heated the zinc, it sparked bright blue, which matches its emission spectrum. This was a) AWESOME and b) completely unexpected (sorry no photos). Is this actually the emission spectrum that we're seeing?

Capturing blackbody on the spectrometer

Lightbulb test: When you raise the temperature of an incandescent bulb, it looks like the spectrum shifts toward the blue as you "turn up" the lightbulb. This corresponds to what you would expect, right? (no pics, sorry)

Capturing blackbody radiation: We used popsicle sticks to test the metal salts --- which meant that inevitably, five or six seconds in, the popsicle stick would catch fire and start burning independently. This meant that we had a number of samples where we captured both the emission line and the full spectrum of the incandescent flame, which was a cool and unexpected result.

Why I'm interested

Explaining the relationship between heat and light in exothermic reactions.

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Thank you for this incredible documentation! Do you have a list of what you purchased from the Science Company? I bet other people would like to replicate this demonstration!

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Very good work.

Another possible demonstration. I worked for a pharmaceutical company. We would check the incoming stoppers to see if they had been chlorinated ( to reduce friction) by taking a clean piece of copper wire, heating it over a Bunsen burner until the flame was clean (mostly yellow), rubbing a stopper on the hot wire, and then putting the site either under the burner (in the air intake) or in the flame. If chlorine is present, you should see a green flame. This went down to relatively low levels of coordination ( under 100 ppm). Don't know if these stoppers are still used, but you might try it on chlorinated stoppers, as well as chlorobutyl based stoppers, just to see how it works. It will take several tries to find the green flame you are looking for.

@mimiss @purl - this is so neat! Definitely thought you should take a look.

Just to give an idea of what's going on, you're paralyzing a bit of the stopper. Then burning it to see the flame and flame color. It's very similar to the flame tests of long ago.

I hate autocorrect. It's pyrolyzing, but autocorrect thought was an error and made it paralyzing. Sorry.

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How Flame Test Colors Are Produced

Identifying Metals and Metalloids With Colored Flames

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• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

The flame test is an analytical chemistry method used to help identify metal ions. While it's a useful qualitative analysis test—and a lot of fun to perform—it can't be used to identify all metals because not all metal ions yield flame colors. Also, some metal ions display colors that are similar to each other making it hard to tell them apart. Nevertheless, the test is still useful for identifying numerous metals and metalloids.

Heat, Electrons, and Flame Test Colors

The flame test is all about thermal energy, electrons , and the energy of photons .

To conduct a flame test:

• Clean a platinum or nichrome wire with acid.
• Moisten the wire with water.
• Dip the wire into the solid you're testing, making sue that a sample sticks to the wire.
• Place the wire in the flame and observe any change in the flame color. 

The colors observed during the flame test result from the excitement of the electrons caused by the increased temperature. The electrons "jump" from their ground state to a higher energy level. As they return to their ground state, they emit visible light. The color of the light is connected to the location of the electrons and the affinity the outer-shell electrons have to the atomic nucleus.

The color emitted by larger atoms is lower in energy than the light emitted by smaller atoms. So, for example, strontium (atomic number 38) produces a reddish color, while sodium (atomic number 11) produces a yellowish color. The sodium ion has a stronger affinity for the electron, so more energy is required to move the electron. When the electron does move, it reaches a higher state of excitement. As the electron returns to its ground state, it has more energy to disperse, which means the color has a higher frequency/shorter wavelength.

The flame test can be used to distinguish between the oxidation states of atoms of a single element, too. For example, copper(I) emits blue light during the flame test, while copper(II) emits green light.

A metal salt consists of a component cation (the metal) and an anion. The anion can affect the result of the flame test. For example, a copper(II) compound with a non-halide produces a green flame, while a copper(II) halide yields a blue-green flame.

Table of Flame Test Colors

Tables of flame test colors try to describe the hue of each flame as accurately as possible, so you'll see color names rivaling those of the big box of Crayola crayons. Many metals produce green flames, and there are also various shades of red and blue. The best way to identify a metal ion is to compare it to a set of standards (known composition) in order to know what color to expect when using the fuel in your laboratory.

Because there are so many variables involved, the flame test is not definitive. It is merely one tool available to help identify the elements in a compound. When conducting a flame test, be wary of any contamination of the fuel or loop with sodium, which is bright yellow and masks other colors. Many fuels have sodium contamination. You may wish to observe the flame test color through a blue filter to remove any yellow.

The noble metals gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and some other elements do not produce a characteristic flame test color. There are several possible explanations for this, one being that the thermal energy isn't sufficient to excite the electrons of these elements enough to release energy in the visible range.

Flame Test Alternative

One disadvantage of the flame test is that the color of light that is observed depends very heavily on the chemical composition of the flame (the fuel that is being burned). This makes it hard to match colors with a chart with a high level of confidence.

An alternative to the flame test is the bead test or blister test , in which a bead of salt is coated with the sample and then heated in a Bunsen burner flame. This test is slightly more accurate because more sample sticks to the bead than to a simple wire loop and because most Bunsen burners are connected to natural gas, which tends to burn with a clean, blue flame. There are even filters that can be used to subtract the blue flame to view the flame or blister test result.

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Burning Salt Water on YouTube, Inventor Waits for Prime Time

Kanzius' concept is simple: expose salt water to 13.56 MHz radio waves and light a match. Hydrogen separates from the water mixture and burns for as long as it's exposed to the frequency. The inventor actually made this discovery by accident: He was looking for a cure for cancer. Kanzius demonstrated it to local TV news stations as well as to Rustum Roy, a Penn State University geochemistry professor emeritus.

Roy collaborated with Kanzius on a paper confirming that radio frequency waves do indeed dissociate salt water into hydrogen and oxygen, and that the resulting mixture can be burned. News of the discovery was published in Materials Research Innovations ( download PDF ), a journal founded by Roy himself.

Burning hydrogen and oxygen to create energy is nothing new: It's been done in machines and automobiles for years. But the difference with Kanzius' would-be breakthrough is that the effect can be achieved with a much lower energy catalyst: radio waves are present in everything from microwaves to televisions. Roy cautions, however, that efficiency is still a major hurdle: "Nobody is claiming that you get more energy out than you put in," he says.

International interest in the technique has been huge, according to Kanzius and Roy. They say that researchers in countries such as France have begun using radio frequency in experiments that call for separating hydrogen from water. However, domestic investors have not been forthcoming, and the scientific community has been dubious. Richard Saykally, a chemistry professor at the University of California at Berkeley, called the recent paper's claims "pseudo-science" in an interview with Chemical and Engineering News .

Gary Friedman, a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering departments at Drexel University in Philadelphia, says Kanzius' discovery is far from groundbreaking. "People have reported for some time that electromagnetic radiation can enhance or affect water hydrolysis," he says. Still, he's not completely uninterested in their claims. "It seems promising, if it's true, that the electrolysis of water can be carried out without electrodes." Because electrodes wear out or change their behavior over time, Kanzius' method may require less maintenance than traditional electrolysis, which uses an electric current to separate hydrogen from water.

Kanzius and Roy hope that the increasing focus on the environment will enable them to get funding to continue their research. They even envision a future in which a vehicle can run off its radio's frequency waves.

But don't start filling your gas tank with salt water just yet.

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How to Make Colored Fire at Home

It’s easy to make colored fire at home in the fireplace or a campfire. All you need to do is sprinkle on a salt to color the flames. Here is a list of colorants, the colors they produce, and a look at where to find them.

List of Flame Colorant Chemicals

Many chemicals produce colors in a fire, but not all of them are readily available or safe to use. This is a list of common colorant chemicals and the fire colors they produced.

The colors are based on the flame test in chemistry, which uses a blue alcohol or gas flame. When these chemicals are added to a wood fire, a rainbow effect is more likely due to the chemical composition of the fuel.

How to Color Fire

Once you have the colorant chemicals, there are different ways to use them:

• Sprinkle dry colorants onto flames.
• Dissolve the colorants in alcohol and then soak logs in the liquid.
• Dissolve the colorants in water. Soak pinecones, rolled newspapers, sawdust, or cork in the liquid. Allow the fuel to dry and then add it to a fire for a pop of color.

There is no “recipe” for how much colorant to add to water or alcohol. The amount that dissolves depends on the temperature of the liquid and the solubility of the chemical. Basically, just add as much solid as will dissolve in the liquid. If you use less, the color of the fire may not be as intense. If you use too much, you’ll have undissolved solid, which you can recover and use later. Some compounds dissolve better in water, while some dissolve better in alcohol. Test a small amount and decide which method works best for your needs.

Do not mix all the colorants together. You won’t get a rainbow! Most likely, you’ll end up with a yellow fire. This is because sodium (in table salt and also naturally in wood) overwhelms other colors. For a multicolored fire, it’s best to add several pine cones, each treated with one colorant, or a mix of dried colored sawdust. Even with separate colorants, it’s best to avoid adding “yellow” because it’s so bright.

Where to Find Flame Colorants

Most of the flame colorants listed here are available at grocery stores or home supply stores. A few are easier to find online. Some of these chemicals are available either as solids or as liquids. Liquids are fine to use for soaking pinecones or logs, but obviously aren’t a great choice for applying directly to a fire (unless you want to put it out).

Other Ways to Make Colored Fire

Directly adding salts to a fire is the best way to color fire, but it isn’t the only method. Colored flames also result from burning color-print newspaper, magazines, and some plastics, like garden hoses. While these other methods produce colored fire, their combustion may also release toxic fumes. Color-printed paper is reasonably safe to burn, although it may release cinders that can ignite nearby objects. Burning plastic is never a good idea because the smoke contains toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals.

Black Flames

Making black flames is possible, too. However, this color works a bit differently because you absorb the colored light from the fire, leaving darkness.

Safety Information

Colored fire is safe in a fireplace or campfire, but it’s probably not wise to cook hotdogs or roast marshmallows over colored flames. For the most part, using salts produces the same smoke as a normal fire. The salts don’t actually burn in the flames, so they remain in the soot rather than in gases around the fire. For this reason, take care where you dispose of ashes. Using Epsom salts may actually help your garden. Plants also appreciate a boost of boron from borax or boric acid, but too much is harmful. Copper salts naturally occur in soil, but copper is toxic to invertebrates like snails and crabs and other organisms, like algae.

Like other home chemicals, flame colorants should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Read and adhere to any warnings on chemical containers.

If you use alcohol as a fuel, please remember that it is much more flammable than wood. Never add alcohol (or any liquid fuel) to a burning fire, or it will react much light lighter fluid!

• Barrow, R. F.; Caldin, E. F. (1949). “Some Spectroscopic Observations on Pyrotechnic Flames”.  Proceedings of the Physical Society . Section B. 62 (1): 32–39. doi: 10.1088/0370-1301/62/1/305
• Natural Resources Canada (2003). Pyrotechnics Special Effects Manual (2nd ed.). Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
• Patnaik, Pradyot (2002). Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals . McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8

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Chemistry Experiment: Flame Tests (Li, Na, K, Ba, Sr & Cu)

Shane O'Brien

To carry out flame tests with salts of lithium, sodium, potassium, barium, strontium and copper.

• Light a bunsen burner and adjust it to obtain a blue flame.
• Dip the wooden splint in water and add one of the salt to it so it sticks on.
• Place the wooden splint over the flame to observe the colour of the flame.
• After the salt has finished burning put the flame out and take note of the colour.
• Repeat this for all the different salts.
• Lithium – Deep red
• Sodium – Yellow
• Potassium – Lilac
• Barium – Green
• Strontium – Red
• Copper – Blue-Green
• As the excited electrons fall to the ground state, they release energy in the form of light which gives each metal salts their characteristic colour.
• To determine the metal salt of an unknown substance compare the colour of the flame with a known salt.
• To prevent cross contamination use separate wooden splints.
• Uses: These salts are used in fireworks to release flares of different colours.

Video demonstration

Aaron Keller, Chemistry Teacher, demonstrates the different colours that can be produced in a flame by the use of different metallic salts. When ions of the metallic elements in each salt are heated their electrons become excited. Excited electrons drop back down to lower energy levels and release light of very specific colours in the process. This makes for a beautiful demonstration and colourful fireworks.

Thanks a million!

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Creating Flame Colors

Project 1: Campfire or Fireplace Flame Colors

Start by soaking dry pine cones, wood chips, or even rolled up newspapers in specially prepared chemical solutions. See the list below for chemicals that produce colored effects when burned.

The Procedure

To treat your dried material, mix about one pound (454g) of chemical per gallon of water in a plastic container. An empty five-gallon pail is ideal. Avoid metal containers because some chemicals may react and damage the container. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when handling chemicals. Work outside or in an appropriate work area. Some chemicals may stain your work surface.

Work with one batch of chemicals at a time to achieve the brightest colors. Dull colors could result if fuel is soaked in different solutions. A day of soaking should give the chemicals time to soak into the wood. Afterwards, lift and drain over the pail and spread on newspaper to dry. The newspaper can also be burned by rolling and wrapping tightly to form "logs".

Burn the treated material in a well-ventilated fireplace. Wait till your fire has burned down to some coals and low flame, then add the treated material to see the best show of colors.

Another variation for creating fireplace colors is to make wax cakes containing chemicals. Start by melting paraffin (from candle stubs or from blocks of canning wax from the grocery store) in a double boiler. Do not melt over an open flame or it may ignite. Stir in one or two tablespoons of the recommended dry chemical. Let it cool, but while it is still liquid, pour the wax into small paper cake cups. When these have set they can be placed into a fireplace just like the treated pine cones described above.

For longer burning pine cones or to make colorful fire starters, melt paraffin wax as above. Dip pine cones in the wax then sprinkle with one of the listed chemicals before the wax completely sets. Or, try coating dry pine cones in white glue and sprinkling them with chemicals to produce a firestarter that burns brightly with color.

Avoid permanganates, nitrates and chlorates. These produce harmful byproducts when burned.

Project 2: Flame Color Tests Using Metal Salts.

You can create a variety of colored flames by burning a small amount of different metal salts in a fire. In the lab, use a Bunsen burner or propane torch.

Some metals will burn with a characteristic flame color. To perform a flame test a powdered sample of chemical ( see list below ) is placed onto a platinum or Nichrome wire loop and suspended in a Bunsen burner (or propane torch) flame. It is important to first clean the wire loop in the flame so no contaminating dust interferes with the true color of the test sample flame.

What Is Happening?

Each metal has a characteristic flame color which has been found to be useful in identifying minerals.

Primary Reference: Dana's Manual of Mineralogy, 18th Edition, C. Hurlbut, Jr., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York

Burning Money

Burning money is not a good idea unless you know the science secret.

Print this Experiment

Do you have money burning a hole in your pocket? It’s probably not a wise idea to soak a $20 bill in a flammable liquid and set it on fire, but that’s what you’ll have to do in this science demonstration. Sure, you could just use a $1 bill, but then you won’t sweat as much.

Experiment Videos

Here's what you'll need, 70% rubbing alcohol (read the labels in the store to determine the alcohol content), lighter or match, safety glasses, fire extinguisher, adult supervision, let's try it.

Start by preparing a water-alcohol mixture by combining 3 ounces (90 mL) of 70% rubbing alcohol with 1 ounce (30 mL) of water. Make sure to stir the mixture thoroughly.

Rule #1: Never use your own money. Borrow a $20 bill from your friend. If you can get away with this, you have incredible skills of persuasion. Otherwise, cough up your own money.

Dip the bill into the mixture of water and rubbing alcohol using the tongs, and make sure the bill gets completely soaked.

Remove the bill using the tongs and gently shake off any excess liquid.

Move the water-alcohol mixture to a safe place (away from the area where you are going to light the bill on fire).

Hold one end of the bill with tongs and light the bottom of the bill with a lighter. The bill will look like it’s burning, but it shouldn’t burn (famous last words). When the flame is completely extinguished, it’s safe to touch the money. You’ll find that the money is even cool to the touch.

How Does It Work

By now you’ve probably guessed that the money will actually burn if you dip it into a pure alcohol solution. The secret, of course, is the addition of water to the mixture. The water from the water-alcohol mixture evaporates and absorbs much of the heat energy that is generated when you ignite the bill. The water is first heated to its boiling point and then vaporized by the heat of combustion from the burning alcohol. The evaporation of the water keeps the temperature below the ignition temperature of paper, which is 233 o C or 451 o F. If you read Fahrenheit 451 , a novel by Ray Bradbury about book burning, you will recognize this famous temperature. If you reduce the amount of water in the mixture, the paper money is likely to char or even catch on fire.

Take It Further

Alcohol burns with an almost invisible blue flame. One trick is to add a little table salt to the water-alcohol mixture to give the flame a more yellowish color and make it more visible. You can also try to change the ratio of rubbing alcohol to water to see how it affects the way the bill burns, but you’re likely to accidentally burn up your dollar bill.

Safety Information

WARNING! IMPORTANT SAFETY RULES This demonstration should not be attempted without strict adult supervision.

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What happens when you burn salt?

Salt is a common ingredient found in almost every kitchen. It adds flavor to our food and is essential for our bodies. But have you ever wondered what happens when salt is exposed to extreme heat? Does it burn, melt, or release toxic fumes? In this article, we will explore the answer to the question: What happens when you burn salt?

When you burn salt, the sodium and chloride ions that make up the salt compound dissociate. The sodium atoms become excited, emitting a yellowish-orange flame, similar to the color produced by sodium street lamps. The chloride ions do not contribute significantly to the flame color and merely act as a heat sink. Consequently, if you burn a sufficient quantity of salt, you will observe a yellow flame.

This burning phenomenon occurs due to the presence of sodium, an alkali metal, in the salt. When heated, the energy causes the electrons in the outermost shell of sodium atoms to become excited and jump to higher energy levels. As these electrons return to their original energy levels, they release energy in the form of light, producing the characteristic yellow flame.

Burning salt also produces other byproducts, including sodium oxide, sodium carbonate, and hydrogen chloride gas, which may have different effects depending on the specific conditions of the burn.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. can you burn regular table salt.

Yes, regular table salt, which is composed of sodium chloride, can be burned.

2. What are the different methods to burn salt?

You can burn salt by sprinkling it on an open flame, heating it directly on a stove, or using a laboratory burner.

3. What is the purpose of burning salt in chemistry experiments?

Burning salt in chemistry experiments helps identify elements based on their unique flame colors.

4. Does the method of burning affect the color of the flame?

The method of burning salt can influence the flame color due to variations in temperature and other factors. However, the flame generally appears yellow regardless of the burning method.

5. Is burning salt hazardous?

Burning small amounts of salt in a controlled environment is generally safe. However, burning large quantities may release toxic fumes, such as hydrogen chloride gas.

6. Can you burn every type of salt?

Most salts can be burned, but the color of the flame may vary depending on the presence of different metals in the salt compound.

7. Does the flame change if you add salt to a candle?

Adding salt to a candle can change the color and intensity of the flame but will not significantly alter the original yellow color produced by burning sodium ions.

8. Does the burning of salt produce a smell?

Salt does not produce a distinctive smell when burned, although other byproducts may have an odor.

9. Can salt be used as a fuel?

No, salt is not a viable fuel source because it requires a high amount of energy to dissociate its ions and sustain combustion.

10. Why is the flame produced by burning salt yellow?

The yellow color of the flame is due to the excitation and subsequent relaxation of sodium atoms, releasing energy in the form of yellow light.

11. Can burning salt be used as a light source?

While burning salt can produce a yellow flame similar to that of a sodium lamp, it is not a suitable or efficient light source for practical use.

12. Can salt burn without a flame?

No, salt cannot burn without a flame as the heat is necessary to generate the chemical reaction that causes combustion.

In conclusion, burning salt results in the dissociation of sodium chloride, creating yellowish-orange flames due to the excited sodium atoms. While this chemical reaction produces a visually striking effect, it is important to exercise caution when burning salts, especially in large quantities, to avoid potential hazards.

About Rachel Bannarasee

Rachael grew up in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai until she was seven when her parents moved to the US. Her father was in the Oil Industry while her mother ran a successful restaurant. Now living in her father's birthplace Texas, she loves to develop authentic, delicious recipes from her culture but mix them with other culinary influences. When she isn't cooking or writing about it, she enjoys exploring the United States, one state at a time. She lives with her boyfriend Steve and their two German Shepherds, Gus and Wilber.

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Flame tests (the wooden splint method)

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Flame tests can be performed with wooden splints in a scientifically effective, and cost-effective version of this common classroom practical

Help students to reveal the burning colour of splints soaked in different chloride solutions in this experiment.

• Eye protection
• Bunsen burners
• Heat-resistant mat(s)
• Boiling tube racks
• Boiling tubes
• Wooden splints 
• Distilled water
• Lithium chloride solution, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Sodium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Potassium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Rubidium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Caesium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Calcium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Strontium chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3
• Barium chloride, 0.1 mol dm–3
• Copper chloride, 0.5 mol dm–3 

Health, safety and technical notes

• Read our standard health and safety guidance .
• Always wear eye protection.
• Lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, rubidium chloride, caesium chloride, calcium chloride, and barium chloride are all of low hazard. 
• Strontium chloride can cause eye damage.
• Copper chloride can be harmful, and dangerous to the environment. 
• See CLEAPSS Hazard HC047b for more information on chlorides. 
• Well before the lesson in which they are to be used, thoroughly soak a supply of wooden splints in distilled water.
• Sets of boiling tubes should be up to half-filled with the solutions of the salts.
• Each ‘station’ around the laboratory should then consist of a boiling tube containing one of the above solutions, held in a test tube rack. Each should be labelled with the name and symbol of the metal ion present, plus appropriate hazard warnings. There should also be as many pre-soaked splints as there are working groups. These should be immersed in the solution.
• Students hold a soaked splint in a blue Bunsen flame to reveal the flame colour. It is important not to let the splint start to burn too vigorously. Bunsen burners could be clamped at an angle if desired: this helps avoid contamination caused by dripping onto the mouth of the burner (but care is need in the direction of the flame).
• A container (such as a beaker half filled with water) for the disposal of used splints will be needed at each workstation.
• One station could be set up with distilled water as a control and another with a solution labelled as ‘unknown’ if wanted.
• Watch this experiment in our practical video  Identifying ions .
• Lead salts are best avoided. They carry an extra risk, and the flame test result is not that impressive.
• The chlorides of metals give the best results, but other salts, such as sulfates, also work. Nitrates are best avoided in order to avoid production of toxic nitrogen oxides.
• Potassium iodide and lithium iodide can be used instead of the chlorides. As a general rule, chlorides are usually suggested, since they tend to be more volatile and more readily available. These two are in fact a little more volatile than the chloride, and potassium iodide is certainly likely to be available.
• Teachers have traditionally used nichrome wire for carrying out flame tests. The main problems with this method are: - the need to use concentrated hydrochloric acid (corrosive, respiratory irritant). This presents considerable hazard that often deters teachers from using the procedure with students, the problem of contamination of wires which are then difficult to clean, the cost of regularly renewing wires. 

Flame test - the wooden splint method

Additional information.

This practical is part of our  Chemistry for non-specialists collection . This experiment was written on behalf of the RSC

• 14-16 years
• 16-18 years
• Practical experiments
• Elements and the periodic table
• Properties of matter

Specification

• Flame tests can be used to identify some metal ions (cations). Lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium and copper compounds produce distinctive colours in flame tests:
• Lithium compounds result in a crimson flame.
• Sodium compounds result in a yellow flame.
• Potassium compounds result in a lilac flame.
• Calcium compounds result in an orange-red flame.
• Copper compounds result in a green flame.
• If a sample containing a mixture of ions is used some flame colours can be masked.
• 9.2Ca Describe flame tests to identify the following ions in solids: lithium ion, Li⁺ (red)
• 9.2Cb sodium ion, Na⁺ (yellow)
• 9.2Cc potassium ion, K⁺ (lilac)
• 9.2Cd calcium ion, Ca²⁺ (orange-red)
• 9.2Ce copper ion, Cu²⁺ (blue-green)
• C5.2.2 interpret flame tests to identify metal ions, including the ions of lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium and copper
• C4.2e interpret flame tests to identify metal ions
• Flame tests can identify metals present in a sample.
• (s) the identification of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions by flame tests and Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ ions by their reactions with silver nitrate solution (including ionic equations)
• (t) the identification of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions by flame tests and Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ ions by their reactions with silver nitrate solution (including ionic equations)
• (g) characteristic flame colours shown by compounds of Li, Na, K, Ca, Sr and Ba (Mg compounds show no colour)
• 1.9.13 demonstrate knowledge of the flame colours of different metal ions: lithium (crimson); sodium (yellow/orange); potassium (lilac); calcium (brick red); and copper(II) (blue–green/green–blue);
• 1.9.11 demonstrate knowledge of the flame colours of different metal ions: lithium (crimson); sodium (yellow/orange); potassium (lilac); calcium (brick red); and copper(II) (blue–green/green–blue);
• 1.10.3a use cation tests, including: flame tests to identify the metal ions Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Cu²⁺; and
• Mandatory experiment 1.1 - Flame tests (Li, Na, K, Ba, Sr and Cu only)
• Viewing of emission spectra of emission spectra of elements using a spectrascope or a spectrometer.
• Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
• Sodium street lights, fireworks.

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Secrets of salt drop stains unveiled: New research decodes chemical composition from simple photos

by Florida State University

Imagine zooming in on a dried drop of salt solution—each pattern a unique masterpiece, reminiscent of abstract art, yet no larger than the size of a penny.

New research by scientists in the Florida State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry uses the patterns formed by a dried salt solution to train a machine learning algorithm that can identify the chemical composition of different salts. The work was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .

"We are taking chemical fingerprints of different salts," said Oliver Steinbock, Cottrell Professor of Chemistry. "Thinking of sodium chloride, or table salt, for example—among all samples of this type, they always look similar. There are differences from sample to sample, but all examples are distinct enough from other types that we can tell what kind of salt it is."

When a salt solution dries, all sorts of forces are at play. Chemists have studied how fluid motion , crystal growth , environmental factors and other processes interact to determine the deposit pattern. The FSU researchers approached the problem from the opposite direction: If presented with a pattern of a dried solution droplet, could they determine what type of salt it was?

To do that, the researchers recorded 7,500 photos of 42 different types of salt stains. Using a new software approach, they translated each image into 16 parameters that can be rapidly analyzed by machine learning methods. The parameters capture features such as deposit area, compactness and texture. Each image was translated into numbers that in subtle ways encode the patterns' arrangement of tiny crystals in rings, needles and leaf-like shapes.

To test their program's ability to predict composition, the researchers analyzed additional images that were not part of the initial dataset. These programs successfully identified the correct salt in 90% of attempts.

"We were surprised at how well this worked," Steinbock said. "Who would think that from a photo, you can tell the difference between sodium chloride and potassium chloride? They look very similar in the pictures. But the method is very good."

The researchers plan to add to the training dataset by analyzing hundreds of thousands of new images, which would make their tool even more accurate and versatile. This vast number calls for lab automation, and such a robotic drop imager is currently being tested in Steinbock's group.

"The difference between a human doing this and a computer is that the computer and our software can do this quantitatively," Steinbock said. "If I were to present you 7,500 images, you would be confused. But the computer gets better and better with more and more images."

The ability to quickly provide insight into the chemical composition of a sample from a photograph has many potential applications. For example, outfitting a rover exploring another planet with a full chemistry lab would be difficult and expensive, but a camera offers a cheap and lightweight alternative. Other scenarios, such as testing materials for lab safety, rapid screening for suspected drugs or low-cost blood analysis in places without access to hospitals, offer other potential applications.

Another benefit of this approach is that it only requires a minute amount of material. With just a few milligrams that make up a salt deposit, users could understand what they are likely handling and inform their decisions about how to proceed.

"If you want to have a rough idea of what that stain or spill is on a lab bench, you might use this as a cursory, first-step analysis," said Bruno Batista, a senior researcher in Steinbock's lab and the paper's lead author.

Co-authors on this paper were Semhare Tekle, an undergraduate researcher in Steinbock's lab; Jie Yan, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Bowie State University; and Beni Dangi, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at Florida A&M University.

To see more images of salt patterns analyzed by Steinbock's lab, visit the SaltScapes Gallery at his group's website .

Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Provided by Florida State University

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Rocky Mountain Power wants you to pay 30% more in next 18 months

Historic rate request would cost most utahns hundreds of dollars annually, denting utah’s lofty reputation for low-cost energy..

Rocky Mountain Power, which supplies electricity to four-fifths of Utah, is asking the state for a whopping 30.6% increase in power rates, which would raise the average customer’s bill by more than $24 a month in the next 18 months.

Rocky Mountain proposes a two-phase increase in its Friday filing to the Utah Public Service Commission , which must approve the increase before it could take effect. The first phase would come in February 2025, when the residential customer rate would go from 10.96 cents per kilowatt-hour to 12.89 cents.

That would push the average customer’s bill up $13.87 per month, the company says.

Then a second jump would come in January 2026, when the rate would rise to 14.31 cents per kilowatt hour, adding another $10.27 to the average customer’s monthly bill.

Business and industrial customers also would see big increases, but the percentages would be smaller.

Rising fuel costs

Rocky Mountain Power’s rate hike proposal is “completely unacceptable,” said Gov. Spencer Cox.

“The proposed rate increase from Rocky Mountain Power would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous,” Cox posted Sunday on his official account on X. “The audacity and lack of awareness with this request seriously calls into question management at RMP. I will do everything I can to make sure a rate increase of that magnitude never sees the light of day.”

“The proposed rate increase from Rocky Mountain Power would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous. The proposal is completely unacceptable. The audacity and lack of awareness with this request seriously calls into question management at RMP. I will do everything I can to make… — Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 30, 2024

The power company, which is part of PacifiCorp and is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy, cited rising fuel costs and the cost of new infrastructure for the historically large increase.

Both coal and natural gas, which together supply most of Utah’s power, have seen large price increases and more volatile markets in recent years. Coal, in particular, has become harder to source as mines have closed.

And after holding steady for more than a decade, the industrial price of natural gas in Utah has nearly doubled in the last three years amid wider price swings.

“Like many businesses in these difficult economic conditions, the utility is facing inflationary pressures and increased costs outside of its control that cannot be offset through hard work and business discipline alone, making it necessary to seek a rate increase at this time,” Dick Garlish, president of Rocky Mountain Power, said in a statement.

As for new infrastructure, Rocky Mountain cited the Gateway South transmission project connecting Wyoming wind power to Sigurd, Utah, and the Rock Creek wind project in Wyoming.

“Rocky Mountain Power does not take this request lightly, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to provide reliable service, reduce impacts to customer bills and make much needed investments in energy infrastructure, which is the backbone of economic development in Utah,” Garlish added.

More to come?

And the rate could go even higher. This rate request does not include funding for a special wildfire mitigation fund created by the Utah Legislature this year. Under SB224 , Rocky Mountain can collect up to $3.70 a month from residential customers in Utah to fund a self-insurance account that could be used to pay catastrophic wildfire claims in Utah after Rocky Mountain’s insurance is exhausted.

Rocky Mountain’s parent company PacifiCorp has been struggling to fund potentially billions of dollars in wildfire claims in Oregon , where it was found liable in court for large fires in 2020 that were caused by power lines the company didn’t shut down when the fire danger was extreme. It also has faced skyrocketing insurance costs, which it wants to pass on to ratepayers in several states, including Utah .

The wildfire fund would seem to help lower the company’s legal exposure, and Greg Abel, who is viewed as Buffett’s likely successor at Berkshire Hathaway, praised the Utah legislation that created it, calling it the “gold standard.” But the company has yet to file paperwork to set that fund up.

With or without the wildfire fund, the state could lose bragging rights as one of the cheapest states for electricity. That 14.31 cents per kilowatt hour proposed for 2026 would put Utah somewhere in the middle of a state-by-state ranking of current power costs.

But rates are going up virtually everywhere in the country, and the cost of electricity is outpacing inflation , so it’s hard to say where Utah may end up in a future ranking. (Statewide data also includes the 20% of Utah that gets its power from municipal power systems and rural electric cooperatives.)

New coal legislation?

The same legislation that allows the wildfire self-insurance fund also gives Rocky Mountain more leverage to pass along the costs of keeping its two Utah coal-fired power plants running. When the bill was discussed, ratepayer advocates voiced concerns that favoring coal is likely to produce higher rates as other, cheaper sources come online.

But this rate request doesn’t appear to pass along any new costs that weren’t allowed before the bill was passed. The financial effects of that legislation likely would be seen in future rate cases.

Friday’s filing starts a monthslong process of review by the Public Service Commission, and the company won’t necessarily get everything it wants. The review will include scrutiny from ratepayer advocates for residential customers from the Utah Office of Consumer Services and advocates for industrial customers from the Utah Association of Energy Users , among other watchdog groups.

In Wyoming last year, Rocky Mountain sought a 21% increase, and it only got 8.3%. But it has since returned to Wyoming’s Public Service Commission for more rate hikes.

Keeping a steady profit

As with all rate cases, the company also includes what it wants as profit, or “return on equity.” In essence, the Public Service Commission has to decide how much money Rocky Mountain Power gets to make from its Utah customers. In this case, the company is seeking to keep its current 9.65% return on equity.

Rocky Mountain is also reminding customers of its various assistance and efficiency programs. It offers a bill assistance program for low-income customers, and it has incentives for efficient appliances and home improvements.

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• National Politics

President Biden declares major disaster in NM, approves federal aid: recap

Click here for the latest updates.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire continue to burn in southern New Mexico.

Since its start on Monday, June 17, the wildfires have burned over 23,000 acres with 0% containment, according to the Village of Ruidoso website. It also caused the loss of approximately 1,400 structures and forced the evacuation of around 8,000 people.

The South Fork Fire is burning on Mescalero Tribal, U.S. Forest Service land and areas around Ruidoso. The Salt Fire is also active on the Mescalero Reservation. A Complex Incident Management Team is managing both fires, according to officials.

More: South Fork Fire continues to burn near Ruidoso. Here's what the fire looks like in NM

Rainy, cloudy conditions slowing Ruidoso fires

During a news conference Thursday, June 20, Fire Behavior Analyst Arthur Gonzales reported that rainy weather, which touched down in Ruidoso Wednesday night, "really took the momentum out of this fire."

The rain left a cloak of clouds atop the Sierra Blanca peaks, which covered and cooled the fires all day Thursday. Gonzales said he expects "very little spread" over the next few days. "We've still got a lot to do," he said, "but it's really changed that fire's behavior."

The South Fork Fire and  Salt Fire are not spreading as the pace seen earlier in the week.

“We expect very little growth around both fires,” an official said.

- El Paso Times staff

Cause of Ruidoso fire 'still undetermined'

An investigation into the cause of the fires is underway by authorities, Southwest Area Team 5 Incident Commander Dave Gesser said. The cause of the fires remains unknown.

"The fires are still undetermined," Gesser said "It's under investigation. I just wanted to let folks know that the cause of this is still undetermined. We do have folks working in there and looking into that as well."

FBI officials have asked anyone with information on the cause of the fires to reach out to the agency by calling 1-800-225-5324 or online at  tips.fbi.gov

- Aaron Martinez

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deploys resources to support New Mexico

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he's deploying emergency management resources to New Mexico to support efforts for the wildfires and flash flooding affecting the state.

"Today, I am deploying emergency management personnel to assist our neighbors in New Mexico as they face wildfire and flash flooding impacts. Texas will continue to work to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities across the state and of our fellow Americans," Abbott said.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas A&M Forest Service have deployed emergency management personnel this morning under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. These teams will support the State of New Mexico’s Emergency Operations Center in roles including response operations, planning, logistics, public information, finance and geographic information systems.

- Natassia Paloma and Aaron Bedoya

FBI assisting in investigating cause of Ruidoso fire

FBI Albuquerque Division agents are investigating the cause of the wildfires in New Mexico and asking for the public’s help.

“I can confirm that the FBI is assisting our local, state, federal and tribal partners in the ongoing investigation of the fires in Ruidoso, NM,” FBI Albuquerque Division spokesperson Margot Cravens said in an email. “We ask that anyone who may have any information pertaining to the cause of the fires to please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at  tips.fbi.gov .”

President Biden approves New Mexico disaster declaration

President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in New Mexico, authorizing federal aid to assist state, tribal and local recovery efforts in response to the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire.

Federal assistance will be available to individuals in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and additional programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the disaster, the White House posted on its website.

Affected residents and business owners can apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or through the FEMA App.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury posted on X thanking Biden and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

"This means more support and resources for the first responders working to stop the fires, and for communities that need immediate help."

Update on fire containment, acres burned

South Fork Fire: 16,335 acres; containment: 0%

Salt Fire: 7,071 acres; containment: 0%

Personnel: 824

Numbers provided by Village of Ruidoso

- Aaron Bedoya

El Paso mayor issues statement

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser issued a statement Thursday afternoon, “the bravery shown by the first responders in Ruidoso is admirable, and the strength and resilience of Ruidoso’s residents as they face this terrible tragedy demonstrates the strength and unity of their community. I have been moved by the swift action and generosity of El Pasoans who have quickly provided assistance in multiple ways, and by the way this whole region has mobilized to help our New Mexico neighbors. We ask our community to join in prayer for all those affected by this devastating disaster.”

Alto Ski Shop sets up GoFundMe

The Alto Ski shop was heavily damaged by the fire, with social media videos capturing the shop engulfed in flames, its name still visible amidst the blaze.

The business posted on its Facebook page a link to the GoFundMe page , along with the words "We will rebuild!"

- Natassia Paloma

FedEx, UPS shipping updates during Ruidoso fires

Due to the South Fork and Salt Fires, shipping and delivery services in Ruidoso, Alto, Ruidoso Downs and Mescalero are disrupted. Here’s how FedEx, USPS and UPS are managing:

FEDEX Pick up FedEx packages in Roswell

• FedEx Location: 206 E College Blvd., Roswell
• Pickup Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: 1-800-Go-FedEx (1-800-463-3339)

USPS For questions about USPS mail delivery, please visit the USPS Delivery Information page.

UPS Emergency condition on all shipments:

• Holding Period: 7-10 days
• Next Day Air & Temperature Sensitive: Call 1-800-PICK-UPS (1-800-742-5877)

New Mexico fire tracker

View fires across New Mexico on the map below.

Having trouble viewing the map? Click here.

Weather in Ruidoso

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected Thursday, becoming more likely after 3 p.m. The high will be near 72 degrees with southeast winds at 10-15 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, with potential rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch, except higher in thunderstorms.

Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely, continuing after midnight. The low will be around 58° degrees with southeast winds at 5-15 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with potential rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch, except higher in thunderstorms.

Horses evacuated from Ruidoso Downs to safety: Ruidoso mayor on 105.1 FM

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said on W105 Your Country that 1,500-1,700 horses were evacuated from Ruidoso Downs to Sunland Park and Albuquerque.

GoFundMe launches hub for New Mexico wildfires

GoFundMe has launched a centralized hub for all verified fundraisers related to the wildfires, making it easier for people to help those affected.

Below are several verified fundraisers that can be found on the hub: 

• Emergency Relief for Ruidoso Wildfire Victims : New Mexico musician and influencer Johnny James has launched a GoFundMe to help people affected by the fires. Donations will go toward emergency relief, including hotel rooms, food and water, and emergency transportation for displaced families. Donations are tax-deductible. 
• The Cowboy Rides Away : “Hello, my name is Hilary; the daughter of Patrick Pearson who tragically passed away in the South Fork fires in Ruidoso, NM on Monday while attempting to evacuate. My siblings and I are very shocked and saddened by his sudden passing…All donations made will be used for his unexpected funeral costs.”

Swiss Chalet Inn Ruidoso burned down

A post on X shows the Swiss Chalet destroyed by the fire. Where the business once stood, nothing remains.

"The building was destroyed by the South Fork Fire sometime between Monday night and Tuesday. Several cars were left in the parking lot - signaling evacuees only had moments to flee," the X user posted on June 19.

This is what’s left of the Swiss Chalet Inn in Ruidoso. The building was destroyed by the South Fork Fire sometime between Monday night and Tuesday. Several cars were left in the parking lot - signaling evacuees only had moments to flee. #southforkfire #ruidoso pic.twitter.com/2pBneFtS5J — Griffin Rushton (@GriffinRushton) June 19, 2024

How did the Ruidoso fire start?

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and people should refrain from speculation, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said at a news conference in Roswell Wednesday evening, June 19. She was joined by Roswell Mayor Timothy Jennings and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury.

Six investigators are working to find the cause, and results will be shared when the investigation is concluded, Grisham said.

Ruidoso fire leaves residents unaccounted for

During a mandatory evacuation order, some residents chose to stay behind, Grisham said at the news conference.

"We are very concerned about the potential loss of life," Grisham stated. "We know there are several people still unaccounted for."

Search teams are scheduled to move into Ruidoso on Thursday, June 20, to locate any remaining residents. Grisham mentioned that the exact number of residents who stayed despite the evacuation order is unknown.

A gap in communications has posed challenges for families attempting to contact their loved ones, Grisham noted. While communication systems for first responders are in place, cellular towers are currently non-operational.

Public briefings with more information will commence tomorrow afternoon, Grisham added.

New Mexico governor requests Major Disaster Declaration for wildfires

Grisham requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden on Wednesday, June 19, in response to the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire.

The request highlights the urgent need for federal assistance due to the extensive damage and ongoing threats from the wildfires. 

"Our first responders are heroes, but they need more resources to combat this disaster and keep our people safe," said Grisham. "New Mexico has faced disaster before, but the scale of this emergency requires immediate federal intervention."

Flash Flood Emergency for Ruidoso; water rescues ongoing

A Flash Flood Emergency is in effect until 11:15 p.m. MT for Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Hollywood, New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. Water rescues are ongoing.

Flood waters are surging down the slopes in the Ruidoso area from nearby burn scars. Residents should seek higher ground and stay away from any low-lying areas that could become flooded, officials said.

At least three emergency water rescues had taken place at the time of the news conference, with more expected, Grisham said.

"Do not try and cross through any flooding anywhere," Grisham said. "Do not try and cross any flooded areas on foot or otherwise. It's incredibly dangerous."

In a video below posted by the National Weather Service, the flood waters can be seen surging downhill.

@WendellLMalone1 shared a video clip of the type of conditions being observed around Ruidoso right now. This is an extremely dangerous situation and flood waters will continue surging downhill into the Rio Ruidoso and nearby tributaries. Water rescues are ongoing. #nmwx pic.twitter.com/S3484i1mV7 — NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) June 19, 2024

Unidentified body discovered in burned car during South Fork Fire

New Mexico State Police Uniform Bureau discovered skeletal remains in the driver's seat when they arrived at the scene of a burned vehicle on Ranier Road during the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso, Lincoln County, Tuesday, June 18. The person remains unidentified, and no legible identification documents were found in the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, New Mexico State police officials said.

Flash Flood Warning remains in effect

Emergency management has reported flash flooding over the McBride Burn Scar in Ruidoso. A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 5 p.m. MT for south-central Lincoln County. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen, with an additional 0.5 to 1.5 inches possible, the National Weather Service reports.

Flash flooding is already occurring, posing a life-threatening hazard. Areas affected include Gavilan Canyon Road, particularly near the south end at the junction with Meander, Homestead Loop, and downstream to the Rio Ruidoso, according to the National Weather Service.

Evacuations still in place

Evacuations remain in place for the reservation, Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. Road closures are also in effect, Village of Ruidoso's website states.

Additional evacuation orders include Fantasy Lane, Summit area, Botella Road, Snow Springs, Fence Canyon, Whitetail and Chihuahua Well. Residents are urged to stay out of the fire area to allow firefighters safe access and avoid hazards such as fire-weakened trees, downed power lines and potentially exposed gas lines.

Did Farley's in Ruidoso burn down?

A Facebook user posted Tuesday on her account that the Farley's in Ruidoso did not burn down.

"We can't always believe what we hear farleys is still standing I'll leave my post public to ease some minds there are alot of people in Ruidoso still no service or power. God be with us all," she posted.

Ruidoso weather forecast includes hail

A severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Hollywood, New Mexico, until 3:45 p.m. MT. The storm will have quarter-sized hail and winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

View of severe storm during its development stage near Ruidoso around 2pm. Photo courtesy of Art Gonzales. Radar now indicates up to baseball size hail over the burn scar. This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS storm!!! #nmwx pic.twitter.com/mVJZvHbvzs — NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) June 19, 2024

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack cancels live racing, property not affected by fire

Ruidoso Downs is canceling live horseracing this weekend. They will be postponing this weekend's Bourbon Fest. They will have an update on the event once a new date is selected, the website states.

"I want to thank everyone who has reached out, concerned about the track, our Ruidoso Downs family and the horses during this time," said Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh. "At this time, the Ruidoso Downs property has not been impacted. I ask that you please continue to pray for this community and the men and women who are on the frontline fighting these fires."

Albertsons store in Ruidoso is closed but not burned down

Social media reports are helpful in disasters, but oftentimes they aren't accurate. Reports that one of Ruidoso's main grocery stores was destroyed by the Ruidoso fires are wrong.

Here is an update provided June 19 by an Albertsons official:

"The fire has not affected Albertsons Market at this time. The store is currently closed as per Ruidoso's evacuation guidelines. We will reopen once it is safe for our team members to return to the Ruidoso area.

First confirmed Ruidoso fire death: Patrick Pearson

Patrick Pearson, 60, was found dead on the side of the road near the Swiss Chalet Motel, located at 1451 N. Mechem Road, according to New Mexico State Police.

He is remembered as a devoted father and talented musician by loved ones.

More: 'He is irreplaceable': Ruidoso fire victim's family, friends mourn country musician's death