New Mexico wildfire burns nearly 300K acres, now the largest in state history

More than 2,000 firefighters are working to extinguish the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A wildfire that has been scorching the New Mexico landscape for nearly a month is now the largest fire in state history.

As of Monday morning, the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, which began as two separate fires but merged last month, has so far burned 298,060 acres – or more than 465 square miles.

It now takes the title of the largest fire in New Mexico, the Whitewater Baldy Fire, which burned 297,845 acres in 2012.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TVThe fire is only 27% contained, and more than 2,000 firefighters have been working relentlessly to contain and extinguish the flames.

At least 172 homes have been burned because of the fire, and thousands of other residents remain under evacuation orders while the flames still rage.

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Fire officials on Monday said some dry thunderstorms could increase the chance for the fire to continue to spread.

"The fire is expected to remain active, with critically dry fuels and near-record temperatures," officials said in their daily update.

Firefighting efforts will continue on the ground as well as from the air when conditions are favorable.

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