While continuing to endure the largest fire in New Mexico history, Las Vegas officials are dealing with another pressing concern – the potential for catastrophic flooding.

The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire destroyed more than 315,000 acres as of June 2, according to KOB 4. After a month of rapid growth and damage, the blaze is 50% contained.

The city of Las Vegas, in the northern part of the state, has borne the brunt of the fire, forcing evacuations as the city narrowly avoided flames. City officials are now bracing for potential flooding due to the charred land.

A large amount of burned debris and hardened soil was left in the aftermath of the fire, and as monsoon season approaches the heavy rains can cause intense flooding in the areas around fire damage.

“If you were to put a monsoon cell right over the top of this right now, it makes common sense [that] all of that water is going to rush into the drainages rapidly,” Ralph Lucas, operations section chief, told KOB 4.

The drainages merge into creeks which feed into the Gallinas River, which runs through the center of Las Vegas, according to KOB 4. 

“We’re in another kind of danger zone, right?” Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo said. “Anyone in the immediate vicinity of the river, of course, is considered to be in a flood zone.”

The city is working to limit the potential for catastrophic flooding by installing rain meters and gauges along the river, KOB 4 reported. Officials hope this will create an alarm system that can alert residents of potential flooding. Debris is being cleared as well.

“With the forest fire, it doubles ... the amount of stress and it doubles the amount of work that we have to do now to prevent large debris from clogging up the river and for it to get back to its natural, flowing state,” Trujillo told KOB 4.

The mayor said more than 100 city leaders and experts have prepared for the impact heavy rain could have since the fires began nearly two months ago. The plan is to have the meters and gauges installed before monsoon season arrives, with state and federal assistance.

Trujillo said those in power need to learn from the fires to prevent something like this from happening again. The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire started as a controlled burn by the U.S. Forest Service.

“There’s a lot of anger that we’re facing this crisis right now,” Trujillo said. “The state has a lot to learn. And the government, the federal government, has a lot to learn from this horrific loss.”