(multimedia) (CNN) — A record wildfire raged on in southwestern New Mexico on Sunday, belching out a wall of smoke as it devoured thousands of acres and advanced across the rugged wilderness.
Authorities cautioned children, adults with heart disease and other sensitive groups to stay indoors and avoid the smoke.
The blaze — the biggest in the state’s history — has scorched an area more than one and a half times bigger than Chicago.
A total of 1,236 personnel are fighting the wildfire, which is 17% contained, U.S. Forest Service officials said Sunday.
Two separate lightning strikes started two wildfires that merged, creating the giant fire.
Lightning ignited the Whitewater Baldy Complex wildfire last month, sparking a blaze that has devoured more than 241,000 acres — about 380 square miles — in the southwest portion of the state.
CNN has the full article
