Fires burning around state

The Alamo Fire, burning within the Las Conchas burn scar, remained active Saturday but was 70 percent contained, U.S. Forest Service officials reported.

The fire, estimated at 15 acres, began Wednesday in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, caused by a lightning strike. Southern winds, estimated at 15 to 20 mph with gusts of up to 35 mph, were affecting firefighting efforts Saturday.

Fire officials said crews were working to secure containment lines by battling hot spots along the perimeter. Dead and downed trees and grass were providing much of the fuel for the fire.

Meanwhile, a wildfire in a remote area of Gila National Forest in Western New Mexico continued to spread as officials said Saturday that containment efforts so far have been unsuccessful due to steep, rugged terrain and extremely dry fuels.

Approximately 480 firefighters and other personnel were assigned to the 12,400-acre Buzzard Fire, which burned 19.4 square miles of timber since it started Tuesday east of Reserve and north of Eagle Peak Lookout. Its cause is under investigation.

Firefighting efforts included burning out areas along roads on the fire’s eastern and western edges. Smoke from the blaze could be seen in many sections of New Mexico.

In northwest New Mexico, San Juan County authorities said a wildfire near Navajo Lake burned 180 acres and forced the evacuation of approximately 15 people before firefighters encircled it Friday night.

San Juan County spokeswoman Susan Hakanson said there were no immediate reports of structures being lost due to the fire, which was reported Friday afternoon after apparently being started by lightning.