Audio Clip
High Winds Fuel New Mexico Wildfire
High Winds Fuel New Mexico Wildfire
A fast growing wildfire is burning in the Gila National Forest of Southwest New Mexico.
By Monday morning the Signal Fire reached 3,000 acres within a heavily forested area north of Silver City. Nearby property owners evacuated Sunday afternoon shortly after the blaze began. Dry weather and high winds contributed to the radio growth of the fire.
About 100 firefighters and three helicopters are on scene to suppress the flames.
High winds also fueled a wildfire in the Texas panhandle Sunday near the town of Fritch. Fire officials report 75 homes have been destroyed and hundreds of residents evacuated the town.