RATON, N.M.—The wildfire raging near Raton has grown to 24,000 acres, fire officials say, and a separate fire in the southern part of the state is threatening the Carlsbad Caverns visitors center and housing.
New Mexico States Forestry spokesman Dan Ware says new mapping shows the track fire near Raton is about four times the 6,000 acres that was estimated to be burning yesterday and the fire has crossed the border into Colorado.
It’s burning on both sides of Interstate 25 and the highway between Raton and Trinidad, Colo. remains closed.
The fire is threatening about 300 structures near Raton. So far, Ware said seven structures have been destroyed.
Gov. Susana Martinez plans to visit Raton Tuesday.
In southern Colorado the Loop Fire is burning about 1,500 acres near Carlsbad Caverns.
