The thick plume of smoke rising up from the forested hillsides sent a tinge of panic through northern New Mexico. It was only last year that a record-setting wildfire had ripped across more than 530 square miles, destroying hundreds of homes and livelihoods along the way. And now, firefighters have been racing again to catch a new blaze. The fire was sparked Wednesday on private land and by nightfall, had grown to an estimated 1,000 acres. An unknown number of structures have been burned, and crews were working Thursday to protect more homes. Forecasters are warning of more strong winds and dry conditions.
