A blustering blaze burning in southern New Mexico's Gila National Forest has swelled to 156 square miles as more than 700 firefighters work to keep up with its rapid growth.
Fire officials said late Thursday that the Silver Fire continued to advance primarily to the north and northwest, and heavy smoke is expected to remain in the area amid near record high temperatures.
The inferno is still only 20 percent contained and burning 20 miles north east of Silver City.
No new evacuations have been ordered, however, some area roads and highways remained closed.
Meanwhile, crews in northern New Mexico continued to battle Friday a nearly 16-square-mile wildfire in the Pecos Wilderness. Officials say that blaze was moving closer to the headwaters of the Pecos River.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.