CAPITAN, N.M. (AP) -- Firefighters are trying to flank a fire that has razed a dozen cabins and several outbuildings and burned at least 23,127 acres in the Capitan Mountains.
``We can't get in front of the fire,'' said Jackie Denk, an information officer for the eastbound Peppin fire, which has been burning in rough terrain nine miles east of Capitan in south-central New Mexico ``We've kind of had to take a step back into terrain where we can put in a line and slow the fire.''
Firefighters were clearing lines along the southwestern and northern flanks, hoping to eventually pinch off the blaze in front, Denk said.
Firefighters are scheduled to begin burnout operations this weekend at the rear of the fire, which was sparked by lightning on May 15.
Meanwhile, 50 miles to the northwest, crews were working to corral another fire that has scorched 5,100 acres in the Gallinas Mountains west of Corona. The Lookout fire was 80 percent contained Wednesday, and full containment was expected by Thursday afternoon.
``It was quiet on most of the perimeter and when a little heat did develop, we were able to get engines in there and quickly knock it down,'' said Rueben Carrillo, a fire spokesman.
The Lookout fire, reported Friday, flared from an abandoned campfire. The blaze -- which has cost more than $1 million _ destroyed a ranch house, chicken coop and two unoccupied communications buildings.
There were 477 people, one helicopter, 13 fire engines, and five bulldozers assigned Wednesday to the Lookout.
Crews were being shifted from the Lookout in the Cibola National Forest to the Peppin in the Lincoln National Forest. There were 350 people, five helicopters, three single-engine air tankers, 16 engines and six bulldozers assigned Wednesday to the Peppin.
Two C-130 military airplanes with airborne firefighting systems were being transferred Wednesday from Phoenix to Albuquerque, where they will be available for battling the Peppin if needed.
Firefighters at the Peppin were concerned Wednesday about erratic wind and lightning from dry thunderstorms, officials said.
The fire has raged through mixed ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, pinon and juniper trees. Many of the trees had been killed by bark beetles. Most of the burned structures were summer homes.
``We would not be surprised to see that (the Peppin) jump up several thousand acres,'' Denk said.
The fire's cost as of Tuesday night was about $600,000, she said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency promised its help Tuesday, saying the agency would cover up to 75 percent of the cost of fighting the fire.
