RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – It's a bright spot in the recovery effort in Ruidoso after the devastating fires and flooding over the summer, with more than 550 homes so far cleared of debris by the state. Story continues below Podcast: Tent Rocks National Monument reopens with new fees and new rules News: Albuquerque man accused of shooting stepmom asks judge to spend Christmas Eve with family Trending: Tingley Coliseum undergoes renovations as governor looks to possibly move state fair site  Don't Miss: 15-foot tumbleweed snowman pops up in Socorro Burning thousands of acres and 1,400 structures, this summer's South Fork Fire near Ruidoso is New Mexico's most destructive wildfire. "It's just mounds and mounds and mounds worth of debris," said Ali Rye, State Director for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The damage prompted the state agency to step in. Using federal funding, DHSEM contracted with local companies to remove debris for free. 900 people signed up for the program and the state said 564 properties so far have been cleared of debris. "In some of those cases it's such a weight that's lifted off these individuals," said Rye. "They don't have to worry about hiring a contractor, how deep to clean to remove hazardous chemicals from the ash and the soot, someone comes out and they virtually get a clean slate." The cleanup shakes out to more than 173,000 pounds of hazardous waste and nearly 10,000 hazardous trees and debris so far. The local contractors are happy to help out. "It's community members getting to give back help to their community," said Rye. "Super happy that some folks are going to be able to start the year with a fresh, clean slate." Meanwhile, DHSEM said it's committed to its role in the recovery. "We're here at the very beginning, we're here through the hard times, and we will be here all the way through full recovery," said Rye. As of now, there is no deadline on when people can sign up for the debris removal. People can sign up by calling 505-670-4462 or visiting the department's website.