DRY, WINDY CONDITIONS ARE CHALLENGING FIREFIGHTERS AS THEY BATTLE A FIRE IN THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST. THE CHICOMA FIRE, NEAR CHICOMA PEAK WEST OF ESPANOLA, HAS NOW GROWN TO 42 ACRES, WITH 50-PERCENT CONTAINMENT.
A FOREST SERVICE SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, WHICH WAS REPORTED MONDAY, IS UNKNOWN. COMMUNITIES TO THE EAST AND NORTHEAST OF THE FIRE COULD BE IMPACTED BY SMOKE BECAUSE OF THE WINDS.
