By Andrew Hay

TAOS N.M. (Reuters – Thousands of people in a New Mexico Old West community were advised to plan for their evacuation. On Sunday, fierce winds whipped through the drought-stricken forests of America and set off an active wildfire.

Local officials and firefighters reported that residents in East Las Vegas, New Mexico had packed up their belongings and kept relatives close to them after the fire broke out within 5 miles (8km) of the homes.

To protect farms, houses and homes in rural areas as well as the United World College located in Montezuma, crews destroyed firebreaks.

Calf Canyon Fire has already burned 104,000 acres (42,100 hectares). It is one of 12 Southwest blazes which scientists say are larger and arrive earlier than expected this year, according to scientists.

Jesus Romero, San Miguel County deputy manager said as the ash swirled through his Las Vegas residence.

Romero was asked if the whole city would be told that they should evacuate. Romero stated it could occur on Monday as winds shift to the east.

Crews tried to prevent the fire jumping from forests to valley communities, such as Ledoux (located about 20 miles north) and Mora (located approximately 32 km). This was done in an effort to avoid Spanish colonial-era Spanish times.

The fire, which has been burning for 30 miles (48km) east of Santa Fe since April 6, destroyed over 300 homes and forced evacuations of many villages and towns in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The National Interagency Fire Center reports that wildfires across the United States have destroyed more land than in 2021. This is more than double the amount of land lost, while the 10-year average has burned about 70%.