Grassfire near Wagon Mound was sparked by utility line
Mar. 15—Officials say a power line sparked a wildfire outside Wagon Mound that torched more than 15,000 acres but was largely contained by Saturday afternoon.
George Ducker, state Forestry Division spokesman, said the Mogote Hill Fire had burned mainly grassland and was 50% contained.
Ducker said he did not know which company owned the utility line or how it caused the blaze.
In recent weeks, power companies statewide proposed power shutoffs to deter wildfire risk as gusty winds, some up to 70 mph, buffeted the state.
The blaze sparked around noon Friday on private land east of Interstate 25, south of Wagon Mound, and at one point, led to two homes being evacuated, Ducker said. No structures were damaged and no more are threatened.
"Today, crews worked to mop up the Mogote Hill Fire's perimeter and secure drainages, with good precipitation on the incident area," he said Saturday. Some firefighters have been sent home, while those still assigned to the blaze will continue checking for hotspots through Sunday.
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