3,000-acre grass fire starts south of Wagon Mound
A Mora County Sheriff's Deputy vehicle sits near the Mogote Hill Fire south of Wagon Mound on Friday. The blaze is 3,000 acres and 0% contained, according to NM State Forestry. (Photo Courtesy Mora County Sheriff's Office)
Amid high winds and dry conditions across New Mexico, a grass fire ignited in Northern New Mexico and has quickly grown to 3,000 acres, according to New Mexico State Forestry.
The grass fire, called the Mogote Hill Fire, is burning south of Wagon Mound and east of Interstate 25, according to Forestry spokesperson George Ducker. It is 0% contained.
The blaze was discovered around 12:05 p.m. on private land, Ducker said. The cause is still under investigation.
A high wind warning is in effect for the area until 6 p.m. today, with areas of blowing dust and gusts as high as 50 mph, Ducker said.
There are a few homes scattered throughout the area, though evacuations have been ordered so far.
Multiple volunteer and state fire crews are being dispatched to the scene, Ducker said.
Forecasters have warned that the fire season has already begun in New Mexico and the rest of the Southwest, citing low snowpack, drought and the proliferation of fine fuels like grass.
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