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CNN Sunday Morning

Firefighters in New Mexico Battle Brushfires

Aired March 24, 2002 - 08:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, in the mountains of southern New Mexico, firefighters have been battling brush fires fueled by harsh conditions and high winds. We've talked about the dozens of homes that have been destroyed and hundreds of residents have been evacuated.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: For more on the situation, we go to Ruidoso, our affiliate KOAT, out of Albuquerque. Reporter Kit Doe is there and has the latest for us. Hello, Kit.

KIT DOE, KOAT REPORTER: Hello, there, 823 acres have now burned, 30 homes destroyed. Containment is at zero. Firefighters have not been able to get a handle on this fire. No injuries, no deaths.

Let's take a look at some of the flames from last night. Wind gusts were 60 miles an hour yesterday. They're now down to about 30 miles an hour; that kept flames out of the trees and low on the ground. Tankers flew very late yesterday. They may fly today if the winds are low enough.

Now more than 100 people are staying at the local Red Cross shelter. Ruidoso is a relatively small community, a very tight knit community, so many people are staying with family and friends. And coming up later today, Governor Gary Johnson will tour some of the damaged areas. He is expected to declare a state of emergency. Live in Ruidoso, New Mexico, Kit Doe, now back to you.

O'BRIEN: OK.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kit Doe, thanks for the latest on the brush fires there. We're going to talk about it more with Jacqui Jeras right after this break.

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