Truck Catches Fire, Sparks Blaze East Of Las Cruces

A freak accident sparked a large fire in the Aguirre Spring area south of Highway 70, about 15 miles east of Las Cruces Friday afternoon.

According to New Mexico State Police Lt. Jim Johnson, the cab of an 18-wheeler suddenly caught fire. “There was a small explosion which caused the brush to catch fire,” he said.

The flames quickly devoured the dry brush and as many as 300 acres may have burned. According to a witness, the flames reached up 20 feet high.

Sargaent James Fritz told ABC-7 there were no injuries, but 4 residences in the area were evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze.

A large stretch of Highway 70 remained closed in both directions well into Friday night as firefighters continued trying to put out hot spots. They said traffic would be re-opened once the flames were out.

Sgt. Fritz said firefighters were concerned that the fire would get closer to the highway and to surrounding power lines. He said crews from El Paso Electric were on the scene Friday night to repair fire damage.

The White Sands Missile Range Fire Department responded to the scene, as did several firefighters from Doa Ana county.

Aguirre Spring is a recreational area owned by the Bureau of Land Management.