Firefighters took advantage of mild winds in the northern part of the state in recent days, hoping to gain control of the second-largest wildfire in New Mexico history.
The fire had scorched more than 450 square miles, but firefighters were able to utilize the calmer conditions to increase the controlled area from 27% to 36% heading into this week, according to an Associated Press report.
“We get a small reprieve,” fire information officer Renette Saba said. “The winds are not strong enough to keep from getting air resources in there. The crews feel they can make good progress on contingency lines.”
The monthly fire threatened to cause severe damage to the city of Las Vegas but was stopped by nearly 2,000 firefighters. Still, the fire destroyed nearly 500 homes and buildings.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, according to the AP, sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting more help under the president’s recent disaster declaration. The state, the governor said, needs immediate funding for debris removal and “a full range of emergency protective measures.” The needs are beyond New Mexico’s capabilities, the governor said, adding the federal government should bear 100% of the costs because one part of the fire was ignited by wind-blown embers from a prescribed burn in the Santa Fe National Forest.
Wildfires have impacted multiple states in the western U.S., including California, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Lingering drought conditions coupled with warm wind weather have raised the level of wildfire danger.
