A wind-fueled wildfire swept through residential neighborhoods in a mountain community in drought-plagued southern New Mexico, burning at least 150 buildings and forcing the evacuation of 1.700 schools, authorities said Wednesday.
The fast-developing fire spread rapidly through 3.000 acres, as winds of up to 70 miles per Hour (112 kph) driven the flames through wooded ravines and homes, the Lincoln National Forest and local officials said.
The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
Emergency workers extinguished the fire near the downtown high school, according to a city authority statement on Facebook, and 1,700 students from the high school, middle school and elementary school were evacuated to the convention center.
A fire south of Albuquerque destroyed 19 buildings a day, including one house.
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