A wind-driven grass fire sparked Wednesday on a military bombing range in eastern New Mexico destroyed two buildings, charred 27,000 acres and forced dozens of people to evacuate this small farming community.
After clearing out the residents, authorities blocked the highways heading to Floyd and discouraged people from trying to return to their homes. Residents were taken to area churches for the night.
The blaze started on the Melrose Bombing Range to the north and west of Floyd. The town was evacuated early in the afternoon as wind gusted to more than 30 mph.
Firefighters got a break when the sun went down and the wind died down.
"Right now, we're putting out hot spots and there are no structures that are in immediate danger,'' Portales Police Capt. Lonnie Berry said. "As long as the wind cooperates, we'll be OK.''
Dan Ware, spokesman for the state Forestry Division, said the fire burned two structures, but he didn't know whether they were homes or outbuildings. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Officials from Cannon Air Force Base and the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department said the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Base spokesman Capt. Andre Kok said it wasn't known if military operations might have sparked the blaze. The Melrose Bombing Range, 22 miles west of Cannon Air Force Base, is used as a training site for military pilots.
Floyd, with about 78 residents, is located just west of the Texas line in east-central New Mexico.
Winston Berry, youth minister at the First Baptist Church of Portales, said residents were relocated there.
"We will get beds and things brought in and people can sleep in the fellowship hall,'' he said. "If we need to, we'll feed them breakfast tomorrow.''Associated Press via Minneapolis Star Tribune
