SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez is traveling to southern New Mexico Thursday for a tour and briefing on the massive fire raging through the Gila wilderness.
The erratic blaze has burned more than 265 square miles, becoming the largest fire in New Mexico history. The fire grew to more than 170,000 acres on Wednesday, surpassing the Los Conchas fire that burned 156,593 and threatened Los Alamos last year.
Martinez will meet with fire crews, National Guardsmen and other personnel and volunteers involved in the firefighting efforts.
The Gila forest fire also is the largest burning in the country. It formed last week when two lightning-sparked blazes merged in the isolated mountainous area in southwestern New Mexico.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.