Gila National Forest Wildfire Largest in New Mexico History

Massive NM wildfire consumes 200,000 acres and growing

New Mexico, USA. Gila National Forest wildfire is now the largest in New Mexico history and spreading, having so far consumed about 200,000 acres, or more than 800km² [official estimate is 190,262 acres, as of May 30, 2012 @ 23:06hrs, with only 5 percent contained.]

Latest Progression Map of Whitewater Baldy Complex Wildfire, NM.   Source: Southern Area Incident Management Team

• The fire known as Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire, sparked by lightning on May 16th, is spreading in all directions through New Mexico’s ponderosa pine-covered hills and brush-covered steep canyons, spurred by winds and dry conditions (humidity is less than 5%; temperature is 73ºF).
• The fire, located 15 Miles East of Glenwood, New Mexico, has destroyed dozens of cabins and outbuildings.
• Some 1,200 fire crews are tackling the blaze.
• Last June, the Los Conchas wildfire burned about 157,000 acres  near Los Alamos National Laboratory, threatening stored nuclear material.
• See also:  State Of Disaster Declared in Michigan Counties Posted on May 26, 2012

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Floods across NSW, Australia has forced authorities to declare disaster in 64 areas.
  • Storms, extreme rain events and record flooding  in across Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) in February and March has forced the government to declare Natural Disasters in 64 areas, with Wakool Shire being the latest addition to the list.
  • Wakool Shire has been included in the list of areas declared Natural Disasters as a result of the floods across NSW earlier this year, the NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services announced.
  • “Around 400 people across the state were rescued in the recent floods which affected around 70 per cent of NSW – an area equivalent to the size of Spain.”
  • Floods have caused widespread disruptions isolating about 31,000 people and forcing the evacuation of 28,000 others.

• See also:  Back-to-Back Disasters in Australia

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar