New Mexico fires gain ground amid dry, windy conditions

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Another day of critical fire weather is hampering efforts by firefighters in New Mexico to get a handle on blazes that have prompted evacuations. Two new fires reported Tuesday afternoon in the mountains of southeastern New Mexico prompted immediate evacuations. Meanwhile, authorities confirmed one home and numerous outbuildings had been damaged or destroyed by a fire burning along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque. About 200 structures remained threatened. In northern New Mexico, steep terrain and gusts up to 60 mph kept crews from directly attacking a fire near the community of Las Vegas. More evacuations were ordered there as the fire made a big push.