A wildfire that began in northern New Mexico on April 6 was merged with another fire Saturday, causing widespread evacuations in Mora County and San Miguel counties. Sunday’s fire was at 84 sq miles (217 km) and 12% contained.
A wind-driven wildfire that raged in northern New Mexico had already started on April 17. It had charred 81 miles (209 km) of oak brush, ponderosa pine and grass north of Ocate. This is an unincorporated community in Mora County.
In Arizona, residents who were forced to evacuate because of a wildfire in Flagstaff were allowed back home on Sunday morning.
Authorities in Nebraska said that wind-driven wildfires were sweeping through the state, causing the death of a retired chief fire officer from Cambridge and injuring at least 11 firefighters.
New Mexico’s wind and temperature conditions were less severe Saturday, but they were still strong enough to keep the fires burning. Numerous evacuation orders were still in effect.
Officials from fire departments expected the northern wildfires’ slowdown to occur Sunday, as smoke and cloud cover moves in. This will allow the forests to retain more moisture. However, they warned that fires in the interior could exhibit extreme to moderate behavior and could pose a threat to structures.
Lujan Grisham stated that more than 200 structures were destroyed by wildfires so far, and another 900 are at risk.
Officials from fire management said that the exact damage was not known because it is still too dangerous to enter and assess all homes that have been destroyed.
“We don’t know how much damage was done to the structures. Jayson Coil, chief of operation sections, said that it is not possible to determine the exact areas in which most homes survived the fire and where they have not been damaged.
New Mexico has approximately 3 million grants for wildfires. More than 1,000 firefighters responded to the call.
Lujan Grisham stated that she had asked the White House to provide more federal resources, and she is calling for an end to fireworks in the state.
She stated that New Mexico needs more federal agencies for firefighting, mitigation and public safety support. It’s going be a difficult summer. We have therefore banned fires. That is why I’m asking all local governments to stop selling fireworks.
Scientists have stated that wildfire is now a threat all year round in the West due to changing weather conditions, including earlier snowmelt and more rain in the fall. These problems are exacerbated by decades-long fire suppression and poor management, as well as a megadrought lasting more than 20 years that has been linked to climate change.
Two large wildfires continued to blaze in Arizona on Sunday, 10 miles (16 km) south of Prescott, and 14 miles (22 km) northeast Flagstaff.
Coconino County officials lifted the evacuation order for residents who live along Highway 89 on Sunday morning after firefighters determined that the Flagstaff-area wildfire was no longer a danger.
As of Sunday, the fire in Flagstaff had 3% contained. It covered 33 miles (85 kilometers) According to county officials, it forced the evacuations of 766 homes as well as the destruction of 30 houses and two dozen other structures.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey declared the Fire a State of Emergency Thursday in Coconino County, to allow for recovery aid for affected communities.
Prescott was the scene of a wildfire that broke out last Monday. It had been reduced to 4.8 miles (12.4 kilometers) by helicopters and air tanks, which dropped water and retardant to stop it from growing further.
Investigations continue into the cause of Arizona and New Mexico’s wildfires.
Officials from Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said John P. Trumble of Arapahoe was overcome by smoke after his vehicle left the road on Friday night due to poor visibility from dust and smoke.
Trumble, aged 66, was working as a spotter with firefighters in Red Willow County, in the southwestern corner, of the state. His body was discovered early Saturday morning, authorities stated.
Five Nebraska counties were still experiencing wildfires Saturday night. To help combat the flames, the Nebraska National Guard deployed three helicopters as well as several support trucks.
