KIRTLAND, N.M. (AP) — Fire officials in Kirtland are warning residents not to burn weeds in the wake of fires that have destroyed five homes in two days.
San Juan County Fire Chief Craig Daugherty told the Daily Times of Farmington on Saturday that both blazes could have been prevented.
Daugherty says someone burning weeds Friday lost control of the fire and it swept through three homes.
A second fire broke out Saturday morning and destroyed two homes. The cause is still under investigation.
One of the residents of a property burned in the second fire also lost several cars that he had collected and repaired.
Daugherty attributes the spread of the fire to dry conditions and high winds.
He says anyone seeking to burn weeds must get a burn permit.