STATE
Two lightning-sparked fires burn 22,000 acres in Quay County
The larger Line Fire crossed into Texas, prompting evacuations that have since been lifted
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Two lightning-caused fires that sparked Thursday in Quay County have burned a combined 22,000 acres, with one crossing into Texas.
The Line Fire, which started around 6 p.m. near U.S. 54 south of Nara Visa, has burned more than 20,000 acres, according to New Mexico State Forestry Division spokesperson George Ducker.
As of Friday, the fire, which was burning in grasslands in both New Mexico and Texas, was 25% contained.
鈥淩esources were able to anchor off natural features of the area, such as roads and arroyos, to help build containment lines,鈥� Ducker said.
The Nara Visa community was evacuated Thursday evening, but evacuations and road closures have since been lifted.
鈥淩esidents have been allowed to return to their homes,鈥� Ducker said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not anticipating any threats to that community today from this particular incident.鈥�
Officials are assessing potential impacts to structures, though no damage has been reported, he said.
Power lines were affected, though Ducker said they do not pose a danger to the community. Local utility companies are working to restore electricity to Nara Visa.
The Mimms Fire, in southwestern Quay County north of N.M. 156, had burned 2,100 acres as of Friday.
The lightning-caused fire remained 0% contained. Additional resources, including air operations, were being ordered to help fight the blaze.
Though the fires are in the same general area, Ducker said officials are not concerned about them merging.
鈥淭he Mimms Fire is in a geographically isolated location,鈥� Ducker said.
The fire is burning grass, pi帽on and juniper. Threats to nearby structures have passed.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had a number of wake-up-call fires in our state over the last month,鈥� Ducker said. 鈥淲e are looking at severe fire weather conditions, so it鈥檚 good to remind folks that grass fires move fast, and we don鈥檛 want to start any of them.鈥�
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
