NM fire poised to be largest in state history

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. - June 30, 2011

The fire near Los Alamos has charred nearly 145 square miles, or 92,735 acres.

The blaze has been growing by tens of thousands of acres a day. It's close to surpassing New Mexico's largest fire, the Dry Lakes fire. That blaze charred more than 94,000 acres in the Gila National Forest in 2003.

Crews have managed to contain only 3 percent of the fire near Los Alamos. They're bracing for winds that could gust up to 40 mph Thursday afternoon.

Fire information officer Sandra Lopez says crews are dealing with rugged, steep country, hot temperatures and erratic winds.

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