Five homes destroyed in Blanco Fire

BLOOMFIELD, N.M. (KRQE) - Most residents living near the Blanco Fire burning near Bloomfield are back in their homes Tuesday morning but that blaze is still burning strong.

The fire started Monday afternoon along the banks of the San Juan River and prompted the evacuation of nearby communities.

So far it’s already burned 352 acres and at least three structures. As of Tuesday morning officials say the blaze is 50 percent contained.

Fire crews worked through the night to put out the blaze. One San Juan County firefighter and two Sheriff’s deputies were treated for smoke inhalation.

All evacuation orders associated with the fire have been lifted except for those residents who live off Country Road 4992.

KRQE News 13 caught up with a family who had a front row seat to the fire.

"Really didn't cross my mind that there'd be a fire down here,” Ronnie Gonzales said.

When Ronnie Gonzales came home Monday he found the Blanco fire was roaring outside his front door.

Gonzales and his family live a few miles outside of Bloomfield off of County Road 4901 near the San Juan River.

"We crossed the bridge right here and the gates and from over there it looked like the garage was on fire…I mean the flames were just as high as the house,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales says he immediately called 91 but with the flames showing no sign of slowing he and some other family members jumped into action.
The tried to moving trailers and old cars out of the fires path.

But they were not able to save everything, by the time firefighters arrived a few cars and a utility trailer burned.

Still Gonzales says he and his family know just how lucky they are especially compared to the five families whose homes were destroyed.

"We’re fortunate we didn't lose the house and that no one got hurt,” Gonzales said.

A Bloomfield firefighter says this is the biggest fire he's seen in this area in his 18 years with the department.

All of the homes that were destroyed are located on County Road 4992 which is still closed to residents. It is on the south side of the river, where the fire quickly spread after it started.