1,200 firefighters tackle record-breaking US blaze

Over 1,200 firefighters battling New Mexico's largest wildfire in history rappelled from helicopters Saturday to extinguish blazes in rugged mountains and canyons, authorities said. The Whitewater-Baldy Complex blaze has burned through 227,000 acres (92,000 hectares) and is only 15 percent contained, according to AFP. Thunderstorms and dry lightning forecast for southwestern New Mexico threatened to accelerate the disaster after the fire consumed vegetation such as timber, mixed conifer, Ponderosa pine, pinon pine, juniper and grass fuels in the Gila National Forest. Lightning sparked the blaze on May 16. Thick smoke columns have forced people to stay inside, local media reported. Some 1,257 personnel are involved in the firefighting effort, along with 64 fire engines, 28 water tenders, seven dozers and 10 helicopters, according to New Mexico Fire Information.