Wildfires rage in 6 states across the U.S.

May 27, 2012 – NEW MEXICO – Crews battled to contain a massive New Mexico wildfire on Friday that has torched a dozen homes, the largest of several blazes that have consumed more than 200 square miles (520 square km) of rugged land in half-a-dozen U.S. states in recent days. Wildfires in sparsely-populated stretches of Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and California have forced the evacuation of several small towns and torched miles of forest, brush and grass since mid-month. The fires have taken hold in tinder-dry late-spring conditions in mostly remote tracts of the United States, and have been fanned by gusting winds of up to 50 mph. The fire in New Mexico burned early Saturday through remote and rugged terrain around the Gila Wilderness and has grown to 85,000 acres (34,400 hectares) or more than 130 square miles (338 square kilometers). The heavy smoke apparently disoriented six hikers Friday, prompting the New Mexico National Guard to carry out a rescue. Col. Michael Montoya said one of the hikers had an injured knee and had to be taken to safety by ambulance. The others were able to walk to a secure area. More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze that resulted from the merger earlier this week of two lightning-sparked fires.  –Daily Mail

contribution Yamkin