The Associated Press
MANZANO, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters have been able to make some progress against a blaze that has charred an estimated 4,875 acres in the Manzano Mountains.
“So far they’ve been able to hold the line, but there’s still a lot of heat on the ground,” said fire information officer Deanna Younger.
There are 506 people assigned to the blaze, along with four air tankers, five helicopters and more than a dozen engines. The cost of fighting the blaze is $4.5 million so far.
The fire was 53% contained late Thursday, and crews planned to continue concentrating on the northern and southern sides Friday, said fire information officer Dan Bastion. He said more wind was forecast for Friday.
Ground crews were helped Thursday by water-dropping helicopters. The air tankers that have been instrumental in the fight over the last couple of days were grounded by noon because of strong winds, Younger said.
The fire burned nine homes, nine outbuildings and two recreational vehicles. It has been burning in mainly oak brush and pinon, juniper and ponderosa pine trees.
Investigators believe the fire was human caused.
Cibola National Forest officials said the Sandia and Mountainair ranger districts will be under increased fire restrictions beginning Monday because of the severe dry conditions in the area. Campfires and coal and wood stoves will be prohibited.
Another fire has burned nearly 25,000 acres of desert grass and shrubs on mostly private ranch land on the eastern portion of New Mexico’s bootheel.
“It’s just kind of sitting out there by itself, not really bothering anybody,” said Dan Ware, state Forestry Division spokesman.
The Center Peak Fire started April 14, probably from an abandoned campfire south of Animas, he said. No structures are threatened.
The Forestry Division is monitoring the fire by air, and ranch personnel are monitoring it on the ground, Ware said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.