Strong, Swirling Winds Complicate New Mexico Wildfire Fight

Strong, Swirling Winds Complicate New Mexico Wildfire Fight
A new plume of smoke is rising from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires burning just west of Las Vegas, N.M., on May 7, 2022. Roberto E. Rosales/The Albuquerque Journal via AP
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LAS VEGAS, N.M.—Strong, fast winds complicated work for firefighters in northeast New Mexico on Sunday as they battled two major blazes, though the rural area’s major population center appeared to finally be safe from the worst danger.

“It’s been a challenging day. The winds have picked up; they haven’t let up,” fire spokesperson Todd Abel said Sunday evening.