Hundreds Evacuate as Thousands of Acres Burn Across Western States
— -- Hundreds of firefighters have been scrambling to contain several wildfires in three western states after recent spells of hot, dry weather.
Blazes in California, New Mexico and Arizona have threatened several communities with thousands of residents, and hundreds of homes have been evacuated.
Here's what we know about the fires in each of the states:
California
A fast-moving brush fire that broke out in Santa Barbara County had grown to 1,700 acres as of midnight on Friday.
The blaze, dubbed the Sherpa fire, quickly spread due to strong winds in the area, threatening structures and prompting hundreds to evacuate, fire officials said. An estimated 140 homes and ranches were potentially at risk.
About 800 firefighters, who've had to deal with a steep and rugged terrain, are still trying to contain the fire as of Thursday evening.
No injuries have been reported.
New Mexico
Eighteen structures have been damaged or destroyed in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico, where firefighters have struggled to make progress against a blaze that burned 16,000 acres.
An estimated 100 to 200 homes in the mountains, along with communities from several counties, were placed under a mandatory evacuation order as flames raced northeast.
The wildfire, called the Dog Head Fire, produced a thick haze that covered the state's largest city of Albuquerque, according to photos on social media.
The New Mexico National Guard has been activated to help fight the blaze, which still had not been contained Thursday evening, Gov. Susana Martinez announced.
No injuries have been reported.
Arizona
Over 5,500 acres burned in east-central Arizona as of Thursday evening, and a small community in the Cedar Creek area was evacuated.
Thousands of other residents were told to prepare for departure after the wildfire ravaged more than 12 square miles and closed down US Highway 60 for 20 miles.
Fire crews have made good progress as they held down containment lines Thursday, according to officials.
The blaze, known as the Cedar Fire, broke out Wednesday 12 miles south of Show Low. The Show Low community has not been given a mandate to evacuate, according to the Navajo County Sheriff's office.
No injuries have been reported.
