US: Thousands asked to evacuate as “half the state” faces wildfire threat in New Mexico
HOUSTON, April 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Thousands of residents have been asked to evacuate as “half the state” of New Mexico faces the threat of growing wildfires, authorities said.
More than 20 wildfires were burning in at least 16 of the state’s 33 counties, fueled by gusty winds and drought conditions, the state’s governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said at an online news conference.
“Half the state has a fire issue,” said the governor. Since Friday, a state of emergency has been declared for five counties.