SANTA ROSA, N.M. (AP) — Traffic is flowing again along Interstate 40 in eastern New Mexico after a wind-whipped fire forced the closure of the roadway for about two hours.
New Mexico State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware says the Cuervo Fire started at 1 p.m. Thursday along the interstate about 20 miles east of Santa Rosa.
Winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph fanned the flames. About 5 acres were charred and four outbuildings were destroyed.
Ware says early estimates that the fire had burned 200 acres were preliminary. He says the large amount of smoke obscured the true size.
Fifty firefighters, 15 engines and five water tenders responded to the fire. It's now nearly contained.
Ware says the cause of the fire is unknown.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.