http://www.kob.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=2360&cat=HOME 200 evacuated, structures burned in Albuquerque bosque fires
Chopper 4 shows smoke plumes rising over Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon.
Last Update: 06/24/2003 5:52:33 PM
By: Kurt Christopher
Video
The Rio Grande bosque exploded in flames Tuesday afternoon, burning structures and forcing the evacuation of 200 homes in Albuquerque.
The fire was first reported shortly after 3 p.m. near Interstate 40 and quickly grew to over 100 acres in the dry brush on both sides of the river.
Authorities evacuated homes on the west side of the river starting around 4 p.m. Evacuees were told to gather at the Home Depot at I-40 and Coors Boulevard NW.
About 40 students at St. Pius High School were also evacuated to St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande Parish, and employees and visitors to the Rio Grande Nature Center were under a voluntary evacuation.
At least one home was destroyed as of 5:45 p.m. The home appeared to have been under construction. Other outbuildings, including one gazebo, had also burned.
Heavy smoke forced state police to close I-40 in both directions due to smoke. There was also concern after the fire burned beneath the traffic bridge. The interstate was reopened shortly after 5 p.m.
The fire is also blamed for a power outage to about 16,000 PNM customers. PNM spokesman Frederick Bermudez says the fire and smoke tripped a transmission line in the area, causing the outage.
Albuquerque officials issued a health alert as a result of the heavy smoke lingering in the air. Residents with respiratory problems were encouraged to remain indoors.
Stay with Eyewitness News 4 and KOBTV.com for more details as they become available.
Another firey summer out west. Maybe the Home Depot can make up a 1200 mile long hose and deliver some of the water from the flooding in the East?