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New Mexico's governor warned residents on Friday ahead of what is expected to be a historic and dangerous weekend for fire weather.
Speaking to reporters, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and officials said there would be high temperatures and extreme winds.
"This is the worst possible set of conditions for any fire. I repeat: It’s the worst possible set of conditions for this fire," she stated, calling the situation "serious."
NEW MEXICO FIRE PERSONNEL MAKE PROGRESS AHEAD OF WINDY WEEKEND
The governor encouraged people still in mandatory evacuation areas to leave as soon as possible.
Federal and state agencies noted that widespread critical-to-extreme fire weather in drought-stricken New Mexico was likely on Saturday and Sunday, and possibly through Wednesday.
While personnel – both on the ground and in the air – made some progress on fires in the state last week, many families already have been left homeless and thousands of residents have evacuated.
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FILE PHOTO: A firefighter conducts a prescribed burn to combat the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 4, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo)
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A plane drops water to combat the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 4, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt)
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FILE PHOTO: The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfire burns near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 4, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo)
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A plane drops water to combat the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 4, 2022. ( REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt)
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A firefighter works to combat the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfire, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 4, 2022. (REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt )
The Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak complex – one of the largest blazes ever in the southwestern state – stretched over 170,665 acres on Saturday and was 21% contained.
The Hermits Peak Fire's start has been traced, in part, to a preventive fire initiated by the Forest Service in early April to reduce flammable vegetation; the fire escaped control, merging with the Calf Canyon Fire.
1,422 personnel were battling the flames and National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that the complex was one of six fires in the state.
Another fire was moving closer to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which is one of the nation's key facilities for nuclear research and future production of plutonium components for nuclear weapons.
NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES CAPTURED IN NASA SATELLITE IMAGES
However, lab officials said Friday that radiological and other potentially hazardous materials are stored in containers engineered and tested to withstand extreme environments, including heat from fire.
President Biden approved a disaster declaration on Wednesday for individuals in Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia counties.
Lujan Grisham also previously signed emergency declarations in several threatened counties.
Fueled by similar conditions, the NIFC reports nearly 2,000 square miles have burned nationwide this year.
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Fox Weather reported on Friday that an early-season heat wave is expected from Texas to the South and Midwest into next week.
The southwestern winds are expected to move over the Sierra Madre mountain range and warm, according to Fox Weather Meteorologist Nick Kosir.
Kosir said Roswell, New Mexico could see a potential record high temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
The U.S. Drought Monitor showed, on a map released Thursday, that 91.09% of the West is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought.
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Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the region.
Scientists and fire experts say they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.