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Raging US bushfires force evacuations

Andrew HayReuters
The Calf Canyon fire is the most destructive of a dozen blazes threatening the US southwest.
Camera IconThe Calf Canyon fire is the most destructive of a dozen blazes threatening the US southwest. Credit: AP

Thousands of residents of northern New Mexico villages have been told to evacuate as fierce winds drive the largest active US bushfire towards their drought-parched mountain valley.

Winds gusting at more than 64km/h blew embers more than a kilometre ahead of the blaze to start new fires on Sunday as crews battled to stop flames entering Mora, about 65km northeast of the state capital Santa Fe.

It is one of a string of farming communities in the path of the Calf Canyon fire, the most destructive of a dozen blazes in the US southwest scientists say are more widespread and arriving earlier this year due to climate change.

"Where are we supposed to run to, where do we go?" asked Darlene Gallegos, co-owner and manager of Mora's local growers country market, the last grocery store to stay open in the farming community of around 1000.

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Twenty miles to the south at the other end of the 42,100 hectare megafire, residents of Las Vegas, New Mexico, were told to prepare for evacuation on Sunday as winds drove the fire within eight kilometres of homes near interstate highway 25, according to local officials.

Crews bulldozed firebreaks to the west and north of the historic Old West city of 14,000 to protect ranches, rural houses and the United World College in the village of Montezuma, fire official Todd Abel told a briefing.

"We're just gritting our teeth, there's going to be thousands of people affected," San Miguel County Deputy Manager Jesus Romero said.

Asked if the entire city would be told to evacuate, Romero said that could happen on Monday when winds are expected to shift and blow into the east.

Burning since April 6 about 48km east of Santa Fe, the fire has destroyed more than 300 properties and forced the evacuation of dozens of villages and settlements in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

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