The largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history has officials cautioning children and adult with heart or lung disease within the vicinity of the Gila Wilderness to strictly limit time spend outdoors to.
The raging fire that was ignited by a lightning strike continues to burn as professional firefighter have only been able to contain about 15% of it. The flames have already consumed more than one quarter million acres – more than 350 square miles- in Southwest New Mexico.
New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Dr. Catherine Torres issued a statement that was reported by CNN “Because of the state’s current extreme drought, smoke in the region could persist until the monsoon season, which typically begins in early July”
The New Mexico Forest Service issued a statement regarding the fires and specialized services being brought into the area to help deal with the fires “One of those resources includes heli-rappellers. Heli-rappellers are one of the aerial resources brought in during early stages of a remote fire, especially where there is no good landing zone. The ‘rappellers’ will rappel from a helicopter into remote locations and extinguish fires or provide reconnaissance information.”
Ten Helicopters were deployed Saturday.
