Blaze threatens home, 70 pct. contained

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE, KBIM) - The Picacho fire has burned for three days in Southeastern New Mexico, and the high winds and rough terrain are making it quite a battle.

Fire officials said that this is a wind driven fire, and on Friday gusts reached 60 miles per hour.

The Picacho Fire Information Officer Beth Mitchell said crews had a difficult day Friday.

Crews said the fire is 70 percent contained. So far, 8,500 acres have been burned.

Currently 75 firefighters are battling it on foot. Crews from all over the region were bussed in to relieve the crews that spent Thursday night on the fire lines.

Thursday, two air tankers dumped thousands of gallons on the outskirts of the fire, hoping to build a containment line.

Officials said three buildings are in the fire's path and one of them is in immediate danger. However, firefighters have conducted a prescribed burn around the property to stop new flames from hitting the home.

The fire is not close to a road, so fire crews were dropped off in the area and hiked to the fire.

"The firefighters are up against very extreme terrain, extreme weather conditions, and they are currently focusing on building a containment line around the fire," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the Team 3 Commander is optimistic, and hopes to get the blaze fully contained by Friday evening.

If strong winds remain, it's going to be difficult to put out the fire.

State fire officials said the blaze was human caused and it started along U.S. Highway 82 near Dunken, N.M.

However, the investigators can't say what exactly caused the blaze.