May 26, 2012 2:33 PM
Crews battle wildfires in West, Mich
Meanwhile, in southern California, lower humidity and light winds are helping firefighters get ahead of a stubborn wildfire that has charred 4,100 acres of tinder-dry grass and brush in rural San Diego County.
In the Midwest, officials said a wildfire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which has burned more than 21,000 acres, is 20 percent contained.
New Mexico
The privately-owned ghost town of Mogollon was placed under a voluntary evacuation order as firefighters worked to tame the wildfire in the southwestern New Mexico woods, which has grown to 85,000 acres or more than 130 square miles.
Two lightning-sparked fires merged Wednesday to form the giant Gila Wilderness blaze, which has destroyed 12 cabins and seven small outbuildings. The Baldy fire was first spotted May 9 and the Whitewater blaze was sparked May 16, but nearly all of the growth has come in recent days due to relentless winds.
More than 500 firefighters were battling the blaze.
The strong winds pushed ash from the blaze 35 to 40 miles away, while smoke from the giant fire spread across the state and into Arizona. The haze blocked views of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, and a smell of smoke permeated the air throughout northern New Mexico.
Health officials as far away as Albuquerque and Santa Fe issued alerts for the holiday weekend, advising people to limit outdoor activities, keep windows closed and avoid swamp coolers.
They said the effects on most people would be minor but noted mild throat and eye irritation or allergy-like symptoms could be expected. Officials warned people with heart and lung conditions to be especially diligent in minimizing their exposure to the smoky air.
U.S. forecasters bracing for hot summer
California
Firefighters worked to corral a wildfire that has chewed through 4,100 acres of tinder-dry grass and light brush since it broke out Thursday afternoon east of Julian in San Diego County.
Cal Fire's Thomas Shoots said Saturday the blaze near Shelter Valley is burning in steep, rocky terrain away from the town of Julian. It's 30 percent contained. No structures are threatened.
More than 900 state and federal firefighters are fighting the fire, along with six air tankers and six helicopters.
Authorities evacuated about 100 homes in the Shelter Valley area along Highway 78 in the early stages of the fire on Thursday.
Shelter Valley is in an unincorporated area of the county, 12 miles east of Julian within the boundaries of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
On Friday, the fire forced about 50 people to evacuate an RV park in San Diego County. It earlier prompted the evacuation of about 100 homes in the Shelter Valley area, but residents were allowed to return late Thursday.
Colorado
Heavy air tankers and thousands of firefighters are on standby across Colorado as fire managers keep a close watch on high winds and hot temperatures at the start of Memorial Day weekend.
The National Weather Service said wind gusts could reach 70 mph Saturday in some western Colorado valleys, with sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph. Most of eastern Colorado also was under a high-wind watch, with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph possible Saturday.
Sheriff's deputies are evacuating the Buckeye Reservoir area, a popular recreation spot near the Utah border, according to Shannon Borders, a spokeswoman for The Bureau of Land Management.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Steve Segin said a fire that has scorched at least 2,800 acres of rugged canyonland near the Colorado-Utah border is continuing to burn in a remote area near Paradox.
It is not threatening any structures, and no injuries have been reported.
Segin said two heavy air tankers have been taken to Grand Junction, where the fire danger is highest.
"We've got the resources. We've got the firefighters," Segin said. "We're ready."
Colo. Hewett wildfire grows to 7,300 acres
Arizona
In Arizona, residents of the historic mining town of Crown King were allowed to return home after being evacuated because of a wildfire about 85 miles north of Phoenix.
Fire officials said a cold front arriving over Arizona is providing additional relief to firefighters battling the Gladiator Fire, and electricity is being restored to some areas.
A "mega moisture burst" Friday night increased moisture levels in the forest and helping reduce risk of new fires.
Winds from the west, southwest at 20-25 mph with gusts to 45 are expected and those winds will likely blow dust and ash.
Officials say the 16,000-acre Gladiator Fire, which started May 13 from a structure fire, is now 40 percent contained and has roughly cost $13 million.
Arizona wildfire growing due to strong winds
Nevada
Questions were being raised over fire crews' initial response to a backyard burn that rekindled two days later, destroying two homes in a rural community and scorching 7,500 acres.
A 911 recording obtained by The Associated Press showed a resident called Sunday to report that a neighbor's permitted burn in the Topaz Ranch Estates was out of control. Volunteer firefighters with the East Fork Fire Protection District arrived at the scene and then left, apparently without extinguishing the blaze.
Gusty winds rekindled the fire Tuesday, and it spread quickly through thick brush and dry grasses. Two homes and 17 outbuildings were destroyed.
District Fire Chief Tod Carlini did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.
Michigan
Officials said a wildfire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has grown to slightly more than 21,000 acres.
The fire, known as the Duck Lake Fire, is in Luce County, north of Newberry.
State officials say the fire is 20 percent contained and describe it as long and narrow, stretching 11 miles north to Lake Superior.
Fast-moving Michigan wildfire burns 17,000 acres
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is closed. The Department of Natural Resources says wind gusts could be 15 mph Saturday. It warns that "extreme fire conditions persist."
Access has been tricky because there are few roads. Gov. Rick Snyder has sent aircraft from the Michigan National Guard to douse the flames. Air tankers from Minnesota are involved.
More than 40 structures have been threatened and six are lost. It's not clear whether they were homes or outbuildings.
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