Biden declares New Mexico wildfire an emergency

Firefighters slowed the largest wildfire in the country as heavy winds relented Wednesday, but the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire in New Mexico is set to worsen over the weekend, a National Weather Service meteorologist said. President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration that brings new financial resources to the remote stretches of New Mexico devastated by fire since early April.

What’s the damage? So far, the 258-square-mile blaze has destroyed about 170 homes. That number could grow once officials are able to assess the area. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for an estimated 15,500 homes. Firefighters had the wildfire 20 percent contained as of Thursday.

Dig deeper: Read Daniel James Devine’s report in Beginnings about the National Forest Service’s changing approach to wildfire prevention.