Blazes grow in Santa Fe National Forest

SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. (KRQE) - Three fires continue to burn in the Santa Fe National Forest, and the two largest are nowhere near containment.

The Tecolote Fire in the Pecos Wilderness has scorched 700 acres and is 0 percent contained as of Sunday night.

The lightning started fire sparked Friday night.

Fire crews have been struggling to construct a fire line because the blaze has been very active due to strong winds, according to Fire Public Information Officer Denise Ottaviano.

Weather conditions, however, were calming down on Sunday.

"Because the winds aren't as strong as they were yesterday we will be able to use aerial resources to provide support to our ground crews," Ottaviano said.

At this time no evacuations have been ordered, but some roads, trails and campsites are restricted.

The South Fork Fire, burning about 20 miles west of Espanola, started Thursday and has grown by leaps and bounds, scorching 5,143 acres as of Sunday night.

It's also lightning caused and is 0 percent contained.

Officials said flames shot as high as 200 feet into the air and the blaze is moving quickly.

No structures are threatened.

The winds weren't as strong Sunday, but they've played a large role in the spread of the fire.

"The conditions are really dry, the temperatures have been very dry and the winds, the winds have been a key factor in why we haven't been able to get a hold of this fire," Ottaviano said.

The much smaller Red Fern Fire is now 75 percent contained. It has burned 106 acres so far and the cause is under investigation.

One historic cabin is threatened and an outhouse has been lost.

Authorities hope to have it contained by Monday.

Two public meetings will be held about the Tecolote fire on Monday and Tuesday. Monday's meeting is at 7 p.m. at United World College off NM 65 in the community of Montezuma, less than three miles north of Las Vegas, N.M. Tuesday's meeting is also at 7 p.m. at Cabo Lucero Fire Department in the community of Mineral Hill. Residents will have a chance to talk with officials about the status of the fire.