Southern officials warn of fire danger

SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) - Despite recent rain and snow in southwest New Mexico, officials are still concerned about dangerous wildfires.

Grant County Fire Manager Gary Benavidez tells the Las Cruces Sun-News Sunday's 1,300 acre Whippy Fire in the Cullum Estates neighborhood of White Signal had the potential to be as devastating as the Quail Ridge fire from nearly a year ago.

That fire destroyed 13 homes and 60 buildings.

Benavidez added that had the wind been blowing harder, the situation could have been a lot worse.

Fire officials say now is an excellent time to get the grass mowed, do some pruning and thinning of brush around your house.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News