New Mexico Wildfire Now 30% Contained

The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest is now 30 percent contained, according to an official fire report that was updated on Thursday.

The fire, which was caused by a lighting strike on May 16, has grown to 263,589 acres, making it the largest in the state’s recorded history. Nearly 1,000 personnel are battling the blaze, along with 40 engines, 27 water tenders and 10 helicopters.

“Progress is going as planned along the majority of the fire boundary,” the fire report states. “Most of yesterday’s activities were in the outermost east and west portions of the fire. Last night, firefighters conducted successful burn out operations on the most eastern edge of the fire. Immediately following the burn, holding and mop-up operations followed and went smoothly throughout the night.”