New Mexico’s Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire, burning in the Gila National Forest, has now become the state’s largest in history, and is also the largest one currently burning in the U.S.

Fire officials confirmed on Wednesday that the blaze grew erratically overnight to over 170,000 acres, surpassing last year’s 156,593 acre blaze in Los Conchas, which threatened the nation’s premier nuclear facility, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, according to The Washington Post.

The blaze was formed last week after two lightning-sparked fires, which had been burning for about two weeks, merged together in an isolated mountainous area. The combined fire has destroyed at least a dozen homes, and also prompted nearby evacuations and health alerts for the state’s biggest cities.

The Wall Street Journal reports that fire information officer Jerry Perry stated around 1,200 firefighters are currently battling the rapidly growing blaze, but that they face a tough opponent with low humidity and shifting winds. Perry stated:

“We still facing adverse weather conditions that are posing a challenge. We’re doing a lot of burnout operations and yesterday we had to deal with a lot of spot fires.”

Democratic New Mexico senator Jeff Bingaman, announced on Tuesday that FEMA approved the state’s request for a fire management assistance declaration, according to The Washington Post. Under the new declaration, the state is now eligible to receive funding from the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program, which will provide for the “mitigation, management, and control” of fires burning in the state.

The Washington Post reports that Governor Susana Martinez also urged small business affected by the fire on Tuesday to apply for a low-interest Small Business Administration loan, which could become an option, if enough applicants seek the help. Martinez stated that:

“As a result of this fire, small businesses are unquestionably feeling the impact, and I want to make sure that these businesses and their surrounding communities can take advantage of any assistance possible.”

New Mexico Wildfire Now Largest In State’s History is a post from: The Inquisitr

A wildfire burning in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has grown by 17 percent to over 21,000 acres on Saturday, as crews attempt to battle the fast-moving blaze.

The Michigan National Guard is welcoming help from water-dumping aircraft in an effort to contain the blaze, according to MSNBC Today.

The fire is being compared to the Sleeper Lake Fire, which burned in 2007, taking out more than 18,000 acres in the same area, reports the AP. Ed Gloder, the DNR spokesman, stated that the fire nearly doubled overnight Thursday, reaching Lake Superior’s southern shore on Friday.

Beverly Holmes, Newberry village manager, who was driving on a highway east of town told the AP that:

“The whole sky is just smoke. It’s like a heavy fog.”

Officials warned on Saturday of tough conditions, including wind gusts predicted at 15 mph, as well as high temperatures, according to MSNBC Today. Access to the fire has been tricky, because there are few roads in that area, which is close to Tahquamenon Fall State Park. The park, a popular destination for campers, has been closed.

My Fox DFW reports that MDNS stated about the fire, named The Duck Lake Fire, that:

“Structure protection is high priority and is being closely monitored from the air. Air tankers and the helicopter will be focusing efforts on the segment of the east flank near Little Lake Harbor and Pike Lake.”

The AP reports that the fire began Wednesday, after a lightning strike, and fire was seen burning the tops of trees, spreading north on Thursday. Authorities stated Saturday that the blaze is about 20 percent contained.

Michigan Wildfire Grows To Over 21,000 Acres is a post from: The Inquisitr