Picacho Fire grows to 5,000 acres

The Picacho fire churning west of Artesia in Chaves County has grown to an estimated 5,000 acres. New Mexico State Forestry is reporting wildland firefighters knocked down much of the fire but were concentrating on one remaining active and dsnagerous area. The crews were making a stand in the path of the flames working to burn out fuels and stop the advance of the fire, a State Forestry spokesman said. He also said firefighters would be on the scene through the night. The fire near Dunken is not threatening any structures, according to State Forestry. No cause has been reported. A Chaves County Fire Department spokesperson said earlier that the fire started shortly after noon and spread to the northeast jumping U. S. Highway 82 near mile marker 59. The fire reduced visibility on the highway bringing out New Mexico State Police officers to control traffic...KRQE