Another day of hot and dry conditions are ahead for firefighters battling a large blaze in western New Mexico that has already torched more than 13,250 acres of land, but there is hope in sight. Forecasters with the National Weather Service said storms moving across the Southwest have helped raise humidity levels, and the winds are expected to die down by Thursday, giving firefighters the window needed to directly attack the flames.
The Assayii Lake fire has been burning for nearly two days, making its way across grazing areas in the Chuska Mountains that Navajo families rely on for raising livestock, just east of the New Mexico-Arizona border. The blaze which has consumed more than 20 square miles of pinon and juniper forest along with grazing lands that tribal livestock owners have used for centuries.
At least four structures have been destroyed by the fire, and officials say about 50 homes near Naschitti and Sheep Springs are threatened.
On Wednesday, planes dropped fire retardant on the southern part of the blaze, while crews began building a line along the western and northern flanks. They were also trying to protect a communication tower to the north.
http://www.weather.com/safety/wildfires/new-mexico-wildfire-20140618
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