Crews in New Mexico, Arizona scramble to corral wildfires

LAS VEGAS, May 10 (BUS): Firefighters in northern New Mexico worked Monday through rugged terrain before a massive wildfire erupted, frantically trying to field crews to clear forests and prevent the monster blaze from burning more homes in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The wildfires have charred 308 square miles (798 square kilometers) of Ponderosa’s dry forest, making it the largest fire burning in the United States during what was an early start to the fire season. The Associated Press (AP) reported that thousands of people were evacuated.

Much of the Southwest has been in the grip of drought for decades and warmer temperatures combined with spring winds to create dangerous fire conditions.

Aircrews in Arizona were dealing with strong winds Monday as they battled a fire near the US-Mexico border that forced dozens of people from their homes.

Another wildfire in northern New Mexico near key federal government facilities for nuclear research prompted Los Alamos National Laboratory and others in the area to begin preparing for evacuations, though officials stressed there was no immediate threat to the lab.

The fire burned approximately 64 square miles (165 square kilometers).

Some medically vulnerable residents and large animals have already been moved out of the area to reduce traffic congestion if evacuation orders are issued, officials said. They expected residents to get at least one or two days’ notice before they were asked to leave.

“If the fire gets its fifth gear, it will be here sooner than we want it to,” said accident leader Rich Harvey. “We are doing everything we can to verify that.”

Strong winds and gusty winds continued to blow across the region after fanning the fires for weeks and often stopped essential aircraft used to drop water or fire retardants before the flames, complicating efforts to contain them. Wind will continue to be a factor this week, along with lower humidity, but to varying degrees depending on the day.

Fire officials expected a portion of New Mexico’s main fire to head north into rugged terrain that would be difficult for firefighters to access.

“This is not a surprise to us. All models have shown that this is most likely to happen,” said Todd Abell, head of fire operations, adding that crews spent days working to protect farmhouses scattered across the area.

Nearly 1,700 firefighters were battling a blaze raging northeast of Santa Fe that was about 50% contained. Nearly 300 structures were destroyed, including homes, commercial buildings, and barns.

The area’s largest population center — Las Vegas, New Mexico, home to 13,000 people — has remained largely safe from fire after some area residents were allowed back over the weekend. Schools were expected to return to in-person classes on Tuesday.

MI