SANTA FE, N.M. — A fast-moving wildfire has scorched over a square mile of land in southern New Mexico, damaging historic structures at Fort Stanton and prompting the evacuation of nearby campgrounds and a horse ranch, authorities confirmed Monday.
The blaze swept through portions of the Fort Stanton Historical Site, destroying buildings constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and a gymnasium built by German internees during World War II. The site, rich in Civil War-era history, lies within conservation lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
More than 70 personnel are engaged in firefighting operations, supported by helicopters and air tankers, which dropped retardant Sunday to contain the flames. The wildfire was approximately 4% contained as of Monday afternoon, with ground crews focusing on creating firebreaks and extinguishing residual hotspots.
Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the multiagency wildfire response team, reported that efforts were concentrated on the northern perimeter, where vegetation lines were cleared and aerial units continued water drops.
The fire has not reached nearby population centers, but it sparked concern due to its proximity — about 15 miles — to Ruidoso, a community that endured catastrophic wildfires last year, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, followed by severe flooding and erosion.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Arizona, crews have made significant progress in containing a separate wildfire northeast of Tucson in the Santa Catalina Mountains. That fire has destroyed five homes in the Oracle area, though evacuation orders were lifted for some residential zones on Monday.
Back in New Mexico, Highway 220 near Fort Stanton was closed to prioritize firefighting access. Three nearby campgrounds were evacuated, and Fort Stanton Historical Site has been temporarily closed to the public. A BLM investigator is scheduled to begin examining the cause of the fire on Tuesday.
A family of four and their horses, initially evacuated from a nearby private ranch on Sunday, were permitted to return after conditions stabilized. Weather on Monday was relatively mild, with high temperatures reaching 75 degrees and wind speeds of about 10 mph, aiding firefighting efforts.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as containment work progresses.
