Strong winds continue southwestern US flames, prompting evacuation orders. Many homes are also being destroyed.
New Mexico’s Rocky Mountain foothills firefighters are ready to dig new firebreaks and clear brush in order to build more defensive lines. A massive wildfireYou can’t destroy more homes or tinder-dry pine forest.
The fire is the The largest in the United StatesNearly 300 structures have been set on fire right now, including homes, barns, and commercial buildings. Because authorities are unable to access certain areas to assess the damage, Monday’s tally is likely to be even higher.
Late Sunday night, the fire leapt onto a highway and took hold in rugged areas that were difficult for firefighters to reach. Residents of rural villages were warned to stay away Be ready to flee quickly.
Another New Mexico wildfireLos Alamos National Laboratory and community officials prepared for possible evacuations in the mountains around one of the key federal facilities for nuclear research.
Officials stressed that there was no emergency but that the fire was still within 4.8km (3miles) of the laboratory and was growing.
Thom Mason, a lab director, told employees that telework is an option if you are not required to be at work. It is possible for conditions to change quickly. This has been very dry and windy. We need to be aware of this risk and be ready for whatever comes next.
The windy winds that have complicated the situation are still at work. firefighting efforts over previous days.
Weather forecasters stated that the wind has been blowing the New Mexico fires for several weeks without any interruptions. The most recent wave of consecutive days with extremely dangerous wildfire conditions is unprecedented.
Nearly 1,700 firefighters are fighting the largest blaze northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It has charred 766 square kilometers (296 sq miles). It had been burning for almost a month. By Monday, firefighters had contained nearly half of the fire. This feat was remarkable considering the difficulties crews faced.
After firefighters stopped the fire at that point, the largest population center in the region, Las Vegas (New Mexico), was declared safe from being burnt. However, evacuation orders were still in effect for thousands of residents living in smaller communities.
The wildfire’s northern and southern flanks proved more difficult to control as wind gusts reached speeds of 80kph (50mph) over the weekend. Monday’s wind was too strong for aircraft to be launched to aid in the firefighting effort.
The aircraft can drop water directly onto flames or lay retardant before they reach their expected direction. This allows bulldozers to dig firebreaks in areas where roads are not available.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported that more than 20,000 New Mexico structures were at risk from the fire.
Authorities advised residents in small villages along the northern front of the fire to evacuate late Sunday night, stating that it was approaching quickly after having jumped a street.
Nationwide, there were two new large fires reported in Arizona and Texas over the weekend.
Wildfires are now a threat all year in drought-stricken West. Scientists and fire experts say that they are moving faster than ever and burning hotter due to climate change.
