New Mexico Fire Forces Evacuation of at Least 200 Homes
The Associated Press
Published: Jun 2, 2001

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) - Firefighters ordered the evacuation of at least 200 homes Saturday as a 700-acre wildfire grew quickly in whipping winds.

The fire west of town on Mescalero Apache tribal land grew to 700 or 800 acres, driven by winds gusting up to 40 mph, city emergency operations director Tomas Chavez said. No injuries were reported.

More than 300 firefighters battled the blaze. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

A day earlier, about 50 homes north of Ruidoso were evacuated because of a 200-acre wildfire. Ruidoso is about 100 miles northeast of El Paso.

A fire in the area last year burned 8,650 acres.

Copyright 2001 AP News