New Mexico: Raging Wildfires Combine, Prompting Thousands of Evacuations in San Miguel County

At least two wildfires have combined in New Mexico on Tuesday, prompting thousands of people to flee from their homes as the blaze continues to char the lands of the state.

According to CNN, the Calf Canyon Fire and Hermits Peak Fire combined on Tuesday, placing much of the state under the expectations of being in a critical fire threat.

Calf Canyon Fire started on April 19, while the Hermits Peak Fire started on April 6. The cause of the Calf Canyon Fire is still under investigation. On the other hand, details regarding the Hermits Peak Fire were unclear.

The combined blaze has burned more than 145,000 acres of land by Tuesday and is just 20 percent contained as of writing, according to Inciweb. More than 1,000 fire personnel were dispatched to battle the blaze.

Calf Canyon Fire is currently considered the largest burning blaze in the United States, Al Jazeera reported. New Mexico Authorities noted that the Calf Canyon Fire was located a couple of miles from San Miguel County's Las Vegas City, which is the economic hub for most of northern New Mexico. Las Vegas is located 70 miles east of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Calf Canyon has charred 590 square kilometers alone, including mountainside areas and meadows.

San Miguel County Manager Joy Ansley noted that as of Friday, the wildfires ravaged about 270 structures, including 166 homes.

New Mexico Wildfires Evacuations

The rapid spread of the New Mexico wildfires prompted evacuations since Friday near San Miguel County.

Ansley claimed that about 3,500 people had been evacuated in and around the city of Las Vegas on Monday.

Also, on Monday, the Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas began evacuating its 197 patients, including adult and children psychiatric patients.

Meanwhile, Governor Michelle Grisham noted that officials evacuated at least 6,000 people following the fire.

On Tuesday, fire engines and crews were busy working to safeguard homes and other structures in Las Vegas while bulldozers cleared more fire lines in the outskirts.

Reports also claimed that helicopter pilots took advantage of a break in thick smoke and falling ash in the early hours of Tuesday to fight the blaze from above through water drops and fire retardant.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham Calls for Disaster Declaration

The wildfires that continue to char the lands of New Mexico on Tuesday prompted Governor Michelle Grisham to call on President Joe Biden for a disaster declaration.

Grisham signed a request for a presidential disaster declaration that will be sent out to the White House during a briefing on the fire burning across the state of New Mexico.

Al Jazeera noted that the request was made in hopes that the White House would free up financial assistance for recovery efforts.

Grisham underscored the importance of the declaration being made out in the front end rather than waiting until the fire is out, claiming that she is unwilling to wait.

"I have families who don't know what the next day looks like, I have families who are trying to navigate their children and healthcare resources, figure out their livelihoods and they're in every single little community and it must feel to them like they are out there on their own," New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham said.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Nearly 300 buildings damaged or destroyed in Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak fires - From KRQE