New Mexico Landowner Cited in Wildfire

Authorities say crews have made headway on a 198-acre wildfire in central New Mexico that a landowner has been cited for causing.

State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware says the Pino fire was burning near the boundaries of Socorro and Valencia counties. He says five to six homes are nearby but not immediately threatened.

It’s unclear how close the homes were to the fire Saturday, though Ware says the blaze had reached within 100 yards of some structures Friday.

No evacuations have been ordered. Some homeowners have left voluntarily.

The human-caused fire started Friday near the farming community of Jarales. Ware says a landowner has been issued a citation, but no other information was immediately available.

Ware says the blaze is 25 percent contained, and crews will monitor for flare-ups overnight.