Crews battling the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire said they are making progress with the most destructive fire in New Mexico's history.
After burning nearly 300,000 acres in more than a month, the fire began to slow recently, advancing just 4,000 acres.
"The fire’s growth began to slow when it reached 311,000 acres," KOB 4 reported in late May. "It stands at 315,000 acres – just 4,000 acres in a week rather than the tens of thousands we've been seeing."
The fire covered approximately 145,000 acres on May 3, according to KOB 4. A week later, nearly 204,000 aces had burned. The fire covered 299,000 acres on May 17 and became the largest wildfire in New Mexico history.
Firefighters are concentrating on the west-central edge of the fire near Spring Mountain, KOB 4 reported.
Kyle Cannon, the north zone operations section chief, said active areas are being fought with the help of aerial support when possible.
Residents on the southwestern side of the fire have been given the approval to return to their homes.
"We have allowed, working with the sheriff's department, some repopulation and some of the evacuation statuses to go from a 'Go' to a 'Set' and from a ‘Set’ to a 'Ready' in the Lower Colonias and Upper Colonias areas," John Chester, south zone operations section chief, told KOB 4.
Crews are focusing on creating containment lines to minimize future damage that could come with heavy rains, according to KOB 4. Despite the positive turn of events, firefighters remain concerned about changing weather patterns and the potential for new fires to start.
"We're expecting [an] increased chance of thunderstorms, and with that in mind, new starts are more likely, and we'll have our personnel ready to assist the local resources in picking up those new fires," Cannon said.
