New Mexico Fire Spreads in 'Smokey Bear' Forest

SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) - A fire raging in a southern New Mexico mountain range, where a singed cub later named Smokey Bear was found clinging to a charred tree half a century ago, has consumed over 25,000 acres, officials said on Thursday.

Steep canyons and an abundance of dry foliage are feeding the Peppin Fire that has also destroyed 12 cabins. The blaze shows no sign of slowing down, fire officials said.

"We have zero containment. It just blew out the lines (fire breaks) and keeps going and going and going," said fire information officer Gwen Schaffer.

Schaffer said 471 personnel are using five helicopters, two single-engine planes and twenty-three engines to fight the blaze that was caused by lightning on May 15. There has been one minor injury.

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