Martina Gonzales and her grandson watched from their front yard as aircraft disappeared into a giant plume of smoke to fight a growing wildfire that has burned hundreds of square miles, destroyed about 170 homes and threatened more destruction if winds whip, as predicted, through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
“My grandson has actually, um, been a little bit scared, nervous,” Gonzales said from the town of Las Vegas as New Mexico’s governor asked President Joe Biden to declare a disaster so federal aid can come for the largest blaze burning in the U.S.
“If that fire jumps the ridge, we will be able to defend our city so let the citizens know that we’re not just sitting back waiting for something to happen,” Trujillo said late Tuesday. As the wind-whipped fire burned through dry mountainsides on Tuesday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the request for the presidential disaster declaration and said she hoped it would bring financial help for recovery efforts. She called it important to seek the declaration now, rather than waiting until the fire is out.
San Miguel County Sheriff Chris Lopez said he has fielded calls from people worried about safety if the fire crests the ridge just west of Las Vegas. Schools in the community canceled classes at least through Wednesday. Authorities said flames were about 2 miles from Las Vegas, which is also home to the United World College and New Mexico Highlands University.
Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center reported Wednesday that a dozen uncontained large fires have burned about 436 square miles in five states, including New Mexico. More than 3,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to fires burning across the country.
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