A Wildland firefighter work to put out a fire (Representative image)|National Interagency Fire Center|CC 1.0
As the strong winds subsided, firefighters were able to slow the advance of the largest wildfire in the country on Wednesday, while President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration that will help bring in new financial resources to New Mexico counties facing drought.
Efforts are underway to contain the wildfire in northeastern New Mexico—specifically the counties of Mora and San Miguel where the second-largest fire in state history has burned hundreds of homes.
The fire has fanned out across 250 square miles of high alpine forest and grasslands at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains and threatens the city of Las Vegas.
According to fire officials, the disaster declaration also covers the counties of Lincoln, Colfax, and Valencia.
