The blaze burning in northeastern New Mexico is the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and has charred more than 188 square miles.
Ginger Zee has the latest on the uncontained large wildfires burning throughout several states, including Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.LAS VEGAS, N.M. -- Wind-whipped flames raced across more of New Mexico’s pine-covered mountainsides on Monday, closing in on a town of 13,000 people where some residents hurried to pack their cars with belongings, others hustled to clear brush from around their homes, and police were called in to help evacuate the state's psychiatric hospital.
Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the drought-stricken West and they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change, scientists and fire experts say. In the last five years, California for example has experienced the eight largest wildfires in state history, while Colorado saw a destructive blaze tear through suburban neighborhoods last December.
Las Vegas is also home to New Mexico Highlands University and is one of the most populated stops along Interstate 25 before the Colorado state line. “We’re trying to house and feed people with skeleton crews. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. It’s an extraordinary tragedy," said Allan Affeldt, a hotelier in Las Vegas. He said most of his staff were evacuated from their homes and he canceled guest reservations to accommodate firefighters and emergency crews.
On the northern flank of the fire, evacuees streamed uphill Monday out of the Mora River valley over passes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. State Rep. Roger Montoya, from the mountain hamlet of Chacon, said neighbors were putting what they couldn't carry with them into metal containers and leaving them in irrigating fields, hoping the moisture would offer some protection.
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Firefighters battling New Mexico blaze brace for windOver 1,000 firefighters backed by bulldozers and aircraft battled the largest active wildfire in the U.S., after strong winds had pushed it across some containment lines and closer to a small city in northern New Mexico.
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Firefighters battling New Mexico blaze brace for windCalmer weather conditions in northern New Mexico have helped over 1,000 firefighters battling the nation's largest active wildfire
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Firefighters battling New Mexico blaze brace for windCalmer weather conditions in northern New Mexico have helped over 1,000 firefighters battling the nation's largest active wildfire.
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Firefighters Battling New Mexico Blaze Brace for WindOver 1,000 firefighters backed by bulldozers and aircraft battled the largest active wildfire in the U.S. on Saturday after strong winds pushed it across some containment lines and closer to a small city in northern New Mexico.
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Firefighters battling New Mexico blaze brace for windCalmer weather conditions in northern New Mexico have helped over 1,000 firefighters battling the nation's largest active wildfire.
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Bulldozers, Aircraft Used to Fight Fire Near New Mexico CityOver 1,000 firefighters backed by bulldozers and aircraft battled the largest active wildfire in the U.S. on Saturday after strong winds pushed it across some containment lines and closer to a small city in northern New Mexico.
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