Crews slow Blanco Fire near Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD, N.M. (KRQE) - Firefighters are battling a wildfire east of Bloomfield that prompted evacuations Monday.

All evacuations have since been lifted except for people who live off of County Road 4992.

The San Juan County sheriff's department says the fire started Monday afternoon near County Road 4901 and was burning north and south side of the San Juan River.

The CR 4901 or the Blanco Fire has burned 125 acres.

The San Juan County sheriff's say at least three homes were damaged or destroyed in the blaze.

The fire is 30 percent contained.

Ground crews, an aerial tanker and a helicopter fought the flames but brisk winds and high temperatures made tough.

People who live in the area say the felt helpless as they watched at least one home go up in flames.

"We were all rooting for the house...we watched it you know the fire blaze up around it all day long and it finally got it," Jena Ferguson said.

Officials say that it could have been worse if it weren't for the firefighters standing up against flames 50 to 100 feet high spraying down brush to protect homes.

There are several natural gas wells south of the River and the flow to those were shut off as a precaution.

Firefighters will continue to keep an eye on the Blanco fire overnight just to make sure it does not flare up again.

It is still unknown how the Blanco Fire started.

Evacuations

All individuals being evacuated as a result of the fire are being sent to First Baptist Church in Bloomfield.

• All evacuations have since been lifted except for people who live off of County Road 4992. There are hotspots in that area and it remains closed.

Animal Evacuations

• Livestock is being evacuated to McGee Park.