NEWS
Over 2,500 acres burn near I-40 in Quay County
NM State Forestry: Fire is 70% contained and cause is still being investigated
Published
Modified
A "wind-driven" grass and brush fire burned 2,674 acres in eastern New Mexico on Monday.
As of 7:56 p.m., it was 70% contained and the cause is under investigation, according to a New Mexico State Forestry spokesperson George Decker said in an email.
There were no injuries reported, he said.
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 a State Forestry news release. "Structures are threatened and smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and the surrounding areas."
The fire closed State Road 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.
