A wildfire burning in northern New Mexico has covered over 145,000 acres, forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires blazing in part of the Santa Fe National Forest have forced 6,000 homes to be evacuated, while only 20% of the fire is contained, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Tuesday. So far, 166 homes have been reported as destroyed.NASA ADMINISTRATOR: RUSSIA 'NOT PULLING OUT' OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
The fire, located approximately 85 miles northeast of Albuquerque, is the largest one burning in the United States and one of several active fires across six counties in New Mexico, according to Grisham. More than 1,000 firefighters are working on containing the wildfire, as the state has been under a prolonged drought period, creating favorable conditions for wildfires.
Despite some progress on Monday, crews have been working on suppression tactics, including delivering retardant, in anticipation of less than favorable weather conditions in the coming days, according to a release from state officials. More than 15,000 homes could be in danger over the next three days if the fire continues to spread, Andy Lyon, a public information officer with the Southwest Incident Management Team, told CNN on Tuesday."People in Northern New Mexico are a breed of their own. We are very strong people," said Louie Trujillo, mayor of Las Vegas, New Mexico."We know what this land means to our people. It's not just a structure.
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