SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) - The Forest Service says investigators have determined that an abandoned illegal campfire caused a fire that has burned 34 square miles (88 sq. kilometers) of timber in the Gila National Forest in western New Mexico.
The fire burning east of Reserve, New Mexico, and near the Eagle Point Lookout is contained around about a third of its perimeter.
Approximately 520 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the fire, which started May 22.
Crews are burning out control lines in several areas to try to halt the fire’s spread, but a red flag warning is in effect because dry, warm and windy weather conditions are expected.
Moderate increases of smoke from the fire are expected to toward Albuquerque, Socorro and Truth or Consequences.
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