Wind fuels Whitewater & Baldy fires

KRQE - Two fires in the Gila Wilderness have exploded creating dangerous conditions. The Whitewater fire grew from 1,000 to 10,000 acres in just one day and the Baldy Fire has jumped from 6,000 to 11,000 acres. Both fires were started by lightening and until Tuesday had been burning pretty slowly. But high winds Tuesday fueled those fires and now the Whitewater fire spread is threatening homes, prompting a precautionary evacuation of the summer community of Willow Creek. Firefighters have not been able to get close the fire Wednesday because they say it is burning in very steep terrain and is very aggressive. Officials say the fire is pretty unpredictable and firefighters would be putting themselves in great danger if they got too close. Wednesday’s winds are so bad that crews say it’s too dangerous to even send up tankers and helicopters to help fight the blaze. At this point they say their focus is to protect homes. The Baldy fire is burning not too far away from the Whitewater fire. However that fire is burning in wide open wilderness and is not threatening any buildings. Smoke and ash from these fires is visible from pretty far away, due to the high winds falling ash has been reported as far as 40 miles away. Read More News New Mexico

Wind fuels Whitewater & Baldy fires