The Latest on a wildfire burning in central New Mexico's Manzano Mountains (all times local):
4:00 p.m. Power will be shut off in all mandatory evacuation areas.
1:30 p.m.
An army of firefighters is working to build line and protect structures ahead of a fast-moving fire that has charred more than 19 square miles of the Manzano Mountains in central New Mexico, but there's still zero containment.
Fire information officer Denise Ottaviano said Thursday afternoon that winds were pushing the fire to the northeast and that ground crews were stationed throughout the perimeter.
Several air tankers and helicopters were also working the blaze.
Officials said some structures have burned but crews were still in the process of entering an area near the community of Chilili to determine how many were effected.
The areas that have been evacuated include Chilili, Mercid, Escobosa, Yrisarri and Ponderosa Pines. Ottaviano could not say how many structures were threatened overall.
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10:25 a.m.
A fire burning in central New Mexico that has forced evacuations and destroyed structures has now charred more than 19 square miles.
Fire information officers say infrared mapping overnight helped officials determine a more accurate picture of the area that has been burned by the blaze.
In just two days, the Dog Head Fire ballooned in size thanks to persistent hot, dry and windy conditions. When the fire was first reported on Tuesday, officials pegged it at several acres.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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9:20 a.m.
Fire information officers say a blaze burning in central New Mexico made a big push overnight and burned some structures as it reached the small community of Chilili.
Authorities could not say how many structures were destroyed or whether any of those structures were homes.
The community was among those placed under a mandatory evacuation Wednesday night as the flames marched northeast.
Firefighters are bracing for winds to push the fire to the east Thursday.
Six air tankers, water-dropping helicopters and ground crews were assigned to the fire Thursday.
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9 a.m.
A wildfire that has forced the evacuations of a string of small communities in central New Mexico has grown to nearly 8 square miles.
Fire information officers said Thursday morning that the blaze burning in the Manzano Mountains southeast of Albuquerque more than doubled in size overnight after having tripled in size Wednesday.
The fast moving fire is being fueled by dry conditions, hot temperatures and wind.
Another day of direct attack was planned Thursday, with several air tankers and helicopters dropping fire retardant and water directly on the flames while ground crews build more line.
Areas in Bernalillo and Torrance counties have been evacuated, including the communities of Chilili, Mercid, Escobosa and Yrisarri.
Authorities have closed roads in the area and smoke advisories have been issued.
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6:30 a.m.
A wildfire burning in central New Mexico grew to more than 3-square miles and forced evacuations, after sending up a towering plume of smoke that blanketed the state's largest city in a thick haze.
The blaze burning in the Manzano Mountains southeast of Albuquerque prompted Gov. Susana Martinez to declare an emergency, clearing the way for state funds to be used.
Evacuations continued overnight in Bernalillo and Torrance counties. At least 50 residences had been evacuated by Thursday morning, authorities said, and several people had taken shelter at a community center in Tijeras.
The evacuated communities included Chilili and other villages along the pinon and juniper dotted hills that abut the Cibola National Forest.
The fire nearly tripled in size from Wednesday morning, with the growth fueled by dry conditions, hot temperatures and afternoon winds.
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