Fire Burning In Gila Chars 5,000 Acres

MIMBRES, N.M. (AP) – A fire burning 12 miles northeast of Silver City has charred about 5000 acres of pinon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Crews have been doing burnouts to manage the fire, dubbed the Skates Fire.

The smoke is visible from Silver City, the Mimbres Valley and surrounding areas. Burnout operations are expected to continue throughout the week. More than 340 people are assigned to the fire, along with 16 engines and two helicopters.

State Road 15 in the area is closed.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-06-14-06 1133EDT