RESIDENTS OF COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE ASSAYII LAKE FIRE IN THE CHUSKA MOUNTAINS ARE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED AT HOW QUICKLY THE FLAMES SPREAD TO 11-THOUSAND ACRES SINCE LAST FRIDAY. THAT'S WHEN THE FIRE FLARED UP IN THE NAVAJO NATION. THE 400 PEOPLE FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES ARE BEING TOLD THEY CAN FIND SHELTER AT TOHAATCHI MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.
CLASSES AT NEWCOMB AND NASCHITTI SCHOOLS ARE CANCELLED FOR TUESDAY.
THE SMOKE FROM THE ASSAYII LAKE FIRE HAS DRIFTED AS FAR NORTH AS DENVER, COLORADO, PROMPTING SOME RESIDENTS THERE TO CALL 911 TO INQUIRE IF A FIRE HAS STARTED IN THEIR AREA. HIGH WINDS MONDAY HAMPERED EFFORTS BY FIRE CREWS TO SUPPRESS THE FIRE. SIMILAR WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST FOR TUESDAY.
