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Friday, April 25, 2008

Firefighters Make Headway on 4,910-Acre Blaze in Manzanos


Associated Press
      MANZANO — Wind-battered firefighters have been making headway against a blaze that has charred 4,910 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 Deanna Younger, a fire information officer.
    There are 509 people assigned to the blaze, along with four air tankers, five helicopters and 15 engines. The cost of fighting the blaze is $4.5 million so far.
    The fire was 53 percent contained today, and crews planned to continue concentrating on the northern and southern flanks today, officials said.
    Calmer wind and higher humidity likely will help firefighters secure containment lines and cool any hot spots, said Arelene Perea, a fire information officer.
    Helicopters dropped three big buckets of water on the fire Thursday before flights were suspended because of strong wind, which prevented air tankers from dropping fire retardant, she 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 bone-dry conditions in the area. Campfires and coal and wood stoves will be prohibited.
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