NEWS
Sparks Fire grows to 10,000 acres in Quay County, becoming largest wildfire burning in New Mexico
Multiple structures threatened in remote area near NM 156, southwest of Tucumcari
A 1,500-acre wildfire discovered in a remote area southwest of Tucumcari on Tuesday exploded to 10,000 acres on Wednesday, making it now the largest wildfire burning in the state.
The Sparks Fire was discovered near N.M. 156 close to mile marker 41 around 3:20 p.m. and is threatening multiple structures, according to Forestry Division Communications Manager George Ducker. The fire is burning through grass, pi帽on and juniper.
As of Tuesday evening, Ducker reported that the fire was 0% contained and remains under investigation. No evacuation orders are currently in place.
鈥淩esources are on scene and attempting direct engagement using a full suppression strategy,鈥� Ducker wrote in an update Tuesday. 鈥淭he active fire is running, spotting and wind-driven, moving west to east through grass and pi帽on-juniper fuels. The area is remote and cell service is not readily available.鈥�
Wind gusts of up to 30 mph were forecast for the area on Tuesday afternoon, challenging a multi-agency containment effort. Weather conditions tempered slightly on Wednesday, however, as increased relative humidity helped crews establish fire line around the wildfire鈥檚 perimiter.
New Mexico has seen widespread fire weather conditions this April, with several other wildfires currently burning throughout the state on the heels of an exceptionally dry winter.
Tucumcari officials are also managing a 111-acre wildfire spotted west of town on Saturday. A small 15-acre fire was found northeast of Ute Resevoir a day later.
The Sparks Fire on Wednesday dwarfed the 3,882-acre Hummingbird Fire, which is burning 3 miles southwest of Willow Creek in the heart of the Gila Wilderness and was previously the largest wildfire burning in the state.
The Forestry Division reported 79% containment of a 233-acre wildfire in Las Tusas on Sunday, not far from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak burn scar and the soon-to-expand John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora.
John Miller is the sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
