Fire crews are switching to repair efforts now for the largest fire in New Mexico’s history.
The Calf Canyon Hermits Peak fire started in April during a prescribed burn, which has scorched more than 340,000 acres and is largely contained. An operations chief says the last uncontained fire perimeter is in good shape with no heat or smoke showing. Crews are now rebuilding fences on farms and removing fallen trees and stray equipment.
Nationwide, more than 37,000 acres have burned 5.5 million acres this year which is well above the ten-year average.
Alaska leads the nation this week with 59 active large fires. More than 6,400 wildland firefighters are assigned to incidents across the country.
Related:
The end could be near for New Mexico’s largest wildfire ever
Record New Mexico wildfires: how farmers and firefighters are faring
