Crews battle deadly New Mexico wildfires as clouds and flooding loom

By MORGAN LEE
Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Fire crews are bracing for flooding, lightning and cooling weather as they battle a pair of growing fires that have killed at least two people while tearing through an evacuated mountain village in southern New Mexico. The National Weather Service reported overcast skies with temperatures in the low-60s on Thursday morning near the fire-stricken village of Ruidoso. Clouds and moisture are offering hope of some relief for firefighters but adding the threat of high winds and flash floods. Authorities say two people have died. The National Interagency Fire Center says U.S. wildfires this year have burned more than the 10-year averages.