More Containment on New Mexico Wildfire at 255K acres

Firefighters conducted more aerial ignitions over the weekend along pieces of the western boundary of the Whitewater-Baldy Complex wildfire in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest, which has grown to more than 255,000 acres.

The fire, the largest in the state’s recorded history, is 18 percent contained, according to fire officials.

The ignition of the low intensity fires by firefighters is to “minimize effects of an extreme advancing fire,” according to an official website tracking the fires and firefighting efforts.

The lightning-caused wildfire has been burning since May 16. Roughly 1,200 hundred personnel are involved with firefighting efforts, including 63 engines, 30 water tenders and 10 helicopters.