Wildfires spread in the US, burning 52,000 hectares

AP reported that New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration when 20 Forest fires continued raging on April 24 in nearly half of the state’s 33 drought-stricken counties.

A wildfire in northern New Mexico that began April 6 has combined with a newer fire on April 23 to form the largest fire in the state, leading to widespread evacuations in Mora and San counties. Miguel. That fire has spread to 217 square kilometers as of April 24 and is only 12 percent contained.

An uncontrolled wildfire in northern New Mexico that began on April 17 has burned 209 square kilometers in an area north of Ocate, Mora County.

Meanwhile in Arizona, some residents forced to evacuate due to wildfires near Flagstaff were allowed to return home on the morning of April 24.

In Nebraska, wildfires swept through parts of the state, killing a retired Cambridge fire brigade and injuring at least 11 firefighters.

Winds and high temperatures in New Mexico eased on Tuesday, but were still strong enough to continue fueling the wildfires. Dozens of evacuation orders remain in place.

To date, more than 200 structures have been destroyed by wildfires and another 900 are still threatened, according to Governor Lujan Grisham.

The exact amount of damage is still unclear, as it is still too dangerous for crews to reach and get a good look at all the homes damaged in the bushfire, fire management officials said.

About 1,000 firefighters are battling wildfires across New Mexico. The state has received about $3 million in grants to control the fires.

Lujan Grisham said she asked the White House for more federal resources and called for a federal ban on fireworks.

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the western US due to conditions weather changes, including earlier melting of snow and later arrival of rain in the fall, the scientists noted.

In Arizona, two large wildfires continued to spread 16 kilometers south of Prescott and 22 kilometers northeast of Flagstaff.

Coconino County officials lifted an evacuation order Wednesday for residents living in the vicinity along Highway 89 after fire officials determined the Flagstaff area wildfire was no longer a threat.

The fire near Flagstaff has resulted in the evacuation of 766 homes, and 30 homes and nearly 20 other structures burned since it erupted a week ago.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey declared a fire emergency for Coconino County to provide free recovery assistance to affected residential areas.