ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexico’s tinder-dry mountainsides and forcing more residents to flee as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing.
The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 188 square miles.
It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger.
The fire ballooned Sunday and authorities expanded their call for evacuation for the small town of Mora and put residents in Las Vegas on notice.
Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas.