Bulldozers, aircraft used to fight fire near New Mexico city
By PAUL DAVENPORT
Associated Press
Calmer weather conditions in northern New Mexico are helping over 1,000 firefighters battling the nation’s largest active wildfire. Strong winds had pushed the fire Friday across some containment lines and toward the city of Las Vegas, which has about 13,000 residents. A fire operations official says the fire’s rapid growth to 152 square miles forced crews Friday to repeatedly change positions because of dangerous conditions. No injuries were reported. The official says improved weather Saturday aided firefighting effort. The fire has burned at least 166 homes. Fire managers are preparing for windy conditions in the coming days, and officials are urging residents to stay vigilant for possible evacuation orders.
