Dangerous winds hamper efforts to control wildfires

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Dangerous gusts and sustained winds are picking up again in the Southwest, hampering efforts to battle a wildfire in northeast New Mexico that has burned an area twice as large as the city of Philadelphia. More than 1,500 firefighters were on the fire lines Sunday east and northeast of Santa Fe. A red-flag warning was in effect, kicking off what fire officials predicted will be another “historic multi-day wind event that could result in extreme fire behavior.” A few helicopters were able to gather new information on the spread of the flames early Sunday but a fire spokesman warned they won’t be up there very long due to the winds.