NEWS
About 1,000 acres burn near I-40 in Quay County
NM State Forestry: Fire is 0% contained and cause is still being investigated
Published
Modified
A "wind-driven" grass and brush fire burned about 1,000 acres in eastern New Mexico on Monday.
As of 2:51 p.m., it was 0% contained and the cause is under investigation, according to a New Mexico State Forestry news release.
There were no injuries reported, NM State Forestry spokesperson George Ducker said in an email.
At about 12:30 p.m., a fire was reported by Interstate 40, north of San Jon.
"The fire is wind-driven from the southwest and moving through grass and brush," according to State Forestry. "Structures are threatened and smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and the surrounding areas."
The fire closed N.M. 469, north of San Jon.
"Local residents should take caution and avoid the area," the release states. "... County and state officials are providing assistance with house-to-house notifications."
National Weather Service of Albuquerque meteorologist Daniel Porter said Quay County experienced "critical fire conditions" with 7% humidity and 40 mph gusts.
"So, we just had the right ingredients where we had some strong winds coupled with low relative humidity," he said.
But, Porter said, "this is probably going to be windiest day across that area and the humidity won't be reaching that critical 15% threshold at all (the rest of the) week."
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
