A Gila National Forest official says a 2,700-acre fire near Silver City has grown rapidly and has forced some evacuations. Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore says that structures are threatened, and some ranches, a campground and a lookout were evacuated Sunday afternoon about 15 miles north of Silver City. She says 100 firefighters, three air tankers and four helicopters are battling the blaze. A cause hasn't been determined. She says winds and dry vegetation are feeding the fire, and there is still potential for it to spread. She says a Type 2 team joined the fight Monday, which brings additional people to help when the fire's complexity and potential to grow exceeds the capabilities of local units.
