Safety officials in New Mexico are ordering more evacuations as the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire continues to spread.
For six weeks, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire has raged on to become New Mexico's biggest wildfire ever, according to KOB 4. The fire has destroyed 350 homes and is threatening to burn another 270. The blaze has scorched 310,000 acres.
“On the west and southern zones, we’ve been closely coordinating on what we defend, and those areas which we usually defend are the areas closest to the values, and that means other areas, you’re going to see growth,” said Jayson Coil, operations chief, according to KOB 4.
In the Village of Pecos, fire officials have been ordered to remain on 'Set' status so they will be ready to evacuate, if required, as residences in the surrounding area of Pecos have been ordered to evacuate. Fire officials say that the southwestern corner of the fire is giving them the most trouble to contain, and residents can expect the fire to continue to grow.
While evacuation efforts continue, weather conditions over the weekend helped fuel the fire, spreading firefighters thin with some working to strengthen the line intended to stop the fire and others assessing which properties can be saved, according to KOB 4.