Winds drive four range fires in SE N.M.

HOBBS, N.M. (KRQE) - An abandoned truck stop and a barn fell victim to the largest of four wildfires that sparked up in southeast New Mexico Monday.

The 238 Fire, named for the state highway where it started, had consumed more than 9,000 acres as of Monday night. A downed power line sparked the blaze 12 hours earlier near the community of Buckeye west of Hobbs.

“That area received so little moisture over the winter that all of that tall grass is just fuel for a fire,” New Mexico State Forestry spokesperson Dan Ware told News 13. "It takes very little right now to get a fire going in that area."

The Hobbs Fire Department reported the fire remained most active south of U. S. Highway 62/180, the main route between Hobbs and Carlsbad. Late evening winds gusts were still approaching 40 mph.

State Forestry officials reported the Haaker Fire in mop-up stage at 2,000 acres west of Lovington.

The Hobson Fire is also in mop-up stage at about 100 acres southeast of Roswell.

A smaller, unnamed fire is also in the mop-up stage east of Roswell.

Most of New Mexico is dry and dangerous, according to Ware.

“We need folks no matter where they are in New Mexico, they need to be really aware of their surroundings and what they’re doing, and to make sure they’re not doing anything that could cause a wildfire,” Ware said.

No injuries were reported in the 238 Fire, but authorities confirmed flames destroyed a barn and later an abandoned truck stop at the intersection of U.S. 62/180 and State Road 529.

The Lea County Sheriff's Department warned residents of Pearl Valley Road to prepare for evacuations as the flames approached although at last report no one was forced from their homes.

The flames and smoke closed several highways including U.S. 62/180.

Web Extra:  Skyranger video of burning truck stop and firefighters working to contain the 238 Fire.  Click here .