Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A massive wildfire rages Sunday near Mosquero. The fire burned about 12,000 acres as of Monday.
Four rural fire districts in Quay County helped battle a massive brush fire north of Mosquero that jumped Highway 39 and burned at least 12,000 acres over the weekend.
Quay County fire marshal Lucas Bugg said Monday that departments from Porter and Rural Districts 2 and 3 in the county helped battle the Farm Camp Fire west of Mosquero on Sunday.
Bugg said the fire, which began Saturday evening because of a lightning strike near the San Miguel-Harding county line, was exacerbated Sunday by wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph.
The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning over the weekend, which remains in effect through much of Tuesday.
According to bulletins Sunday from state's forestry division, New Mexico State Police assisted with evacuations and road closures in the region.
According to an update Monday morning from the forestry division, the fire had burned 12,000 acres and was 30% contained. Evacuations remain in place for homes northwest of Mosquero.
About 75 firefighters are battling the blaze and are concentrating on an area south of Highway 39.