RUIDOSO, N.M. -- The Little Bear Fire has destroyed more than 10,000 acres of land and 20 structures, and officials say it is not close to being contained.
The fire began Tuesday, was thought to be out on Thursday and then gained momentum Friday. In the early Saturday morning hours, the fire crossed new Mexico Highway 48, burning houses on the east side of the highway with flames up to 150 feet tall.
"It's nowhere near controlled," Lincoln County Undersheriff Robert Shepperd said Saturday morning. "We're doing a lot of evacuations."
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning due to high winds and low humidity, factors that have been aiding the fire in its growth.
As of Saturday morning, more than 300 firefighters had responded to the fire.
Smoke from the fire blew into Amarillo Saturday afternoon, turning the sky orange. According to meteorologists, the same could be expected for Sunday, as well.
EVACUATIONS:
All campgrounds West of Bonito Lake, Villa Madonna Subdivision, Enchanted Forest, Nogal Canyon (Forest Road 400), Eagle Lakes Campground, Eagle Creek Summer Homes, Ski Run Road at Mile Marker 3, State Highway 532, Highway 48 to Capitan, Highway 37 to Highway 380, Ski Apache
EVACUEE SHELTERS:
First Baptist Church on Country Club, Community Methodist Church, Senior Center at Ruidoso Downs, Church of Christ on Sudderth, Trinity Baptist Church in Capitan
CLOSURES:
State Highway 532, Ski Run Road at Mile Marker 3, State Highway 48 to Capitan, Highway 37 to Highway 380
For more information on the Little Bear Fire, go to http://www.ruidoso.net/forestconditions/fires.html, visit the Ski Apache Webcam at http://www.skiapache.com/the-mountain/the-mountain-cam/ or visit the Ruidoso Live Webcam at www.ruidoso.net/cam .
