Black Fire becomes second largest wildfire in New Mexico history
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NEW MEXICO — A wildfire in the Gila National Forest is now the second largest in state history after erupting less than a month ago.
Fire officials reported the Black Fire has now burned 298,440 acres and stands at 44% containment, as of Thursday. It surpassed the Whitewater-Baldy complex Fire, which burned 297,845 acres in the Gila National Forest in 2012.
The Whitewater-Baldy fire stood as the largest wildfire in New Mexico history until last month when it was surpassed by the ongoing Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire in northern New Mexico.
The Black Fire is burning around 21 miles west of Truth or Consequences. It was first detected May 13 – 24 miles north of Mimbres.
A community meeting to address the fire will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, N.M. New Mexico Highway 152 is now closed from mileposts 40 to 15, between Kingston and San Lorenzo.
More details on New Mexico’s ongoing wildfires are available here.