Fire crews are preparing for high winds that are forecasted to make conditions worse for the largest wildfire burning in New Mexico.
The Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak fires in the Santa Fe National Forest combined over the weekend, a Wednesday report from KOB 4 said. Fire crews prepared for worsening conditions as high winds tore through the area, spreading smoke and flames.
“I was excited, but I'm kind of scared, I don’t want to go home,” Misty Graham, an evacuee, told KOB 4. "It’s not a guarantee that the fires are not going to spread. Everybody keep all of us in your minds because we are all going through hard time, and we are a good community cause we are all sticking together right now."
The fires, which have been burning for over a week thanks to an early fire season, have consumed approximately 61,000 acres of land combined, the report said. Firefighters in the area have been working around the clock trying to contain the fires. Consistent progress has been made, allowing Highway 518 between Mora and Las Vegas to be reopened.
Some residents are now returning to Mora since the danger isn't as severe as it was before, the report said. But safety is still not a guarantee as the fires could easily pose a danger again and force another evacuation. Some areas that people are returning to still having evacuation orders in place to prevent risk.