Albuquerque Ablaze: Wildfire Consumes Thousands of Acres

Albuquerque Ablaze: Wildfire Consumes Thousands of AcresAlbuquerque Ablaze: Wildfire Consumes Thousands of Acres A raging wildfire has engulfed thousands of acres in the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, New Mexico, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and threatening critical infrastructure. The blaze, which ignited on Thursday afternoon, has quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions. As of Friday morning, it had consumed over 15,000 acres and was threatening the Sandia Peak Tramway and the Sandia Laboratory, a national security research center. “This is a very dangerous and fast-moving fire,” said Albuquerque Fire Chief David Downey. “We are urging residents in the affected areas to evacuate immediately.” Evacuations have been ordered for all residents living within a two-mile radius of the fire, including the communities of Cedar Crest, Edgewood, and Tijeras. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Firefighters from multiple agencies, including the Albuquerque Fire Department, the Bernalillo County Fire Department, and the Forest Service, are battling the blaze from the ground and air. Air tankers and helicopters are dropping water and retardant to slow the fire’s advance. The fire has caused significant damage to homes and businesses. Dozens of structures have been destroyed, including a restaurant and a historic landmark. The economic impact of the blaze is expected to be substantial. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also deployed resources to assist with the response and recovery efforts. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities believe it may have been human-caused. As the wildfire continues to burn, residents are being warned to stay away from the affected area and follow evacuation orders. The air quality in Albuquerque is also being monitored, as smoke from the fire can cause respiratory problems. The situation is fluid, and updates will be provided as they become available.