Gila fires grow, no homes threatened

GILA NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. (KRQE) - Three lightning sparked wildfires continue to burn out of control in the Gila National Forest.

Smoke caused a hazy cloud over Albuquerque metropolitan area, around the East Mountains and over Valencia County as well.

The Meason Fire is burning about 30 miles west of Truth or Consequences, N.M. So far the fire has burned 1,600 acres.

High winds caused that fire to spread farther and faster than firefighters planned.

Helicopters, air tankers and hot shot crews are working to keep it confined to the area they want cleared out.

A few miles north of Meason Fire is the Diamond Fire which has scorched 8,400 acres.

That blaze is also burning most low, eating up underbrush and deadfall trees that would later feed a much bigger blaze.

Finally, over in the New Mexico/Arizona border area, the Willow Fire has burned 4,000 acres.

No homes are threatened by any of the fires.