Lighter Winds Help in Fight Against N. Mexico Fire Lighter winds aided crews battling a massive wildfire in southwestern New Mexico's Gila National Forest, but they still were unable to stop the blaze that has raged across more than 190 square miles of mountainous forest lands since last week. As the strong, erratic gusts slackened Sunday, teams focused on building protection lines on key flanks of the blaze. The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire grew to more than 122,000 acres and was about two miles away from the privately owned ghost town of Mogollon. Denise Ottaviano, a spokeswoman for the crew fighting the blaze, said the fire hasn't made a significant push toward the town. Residents in the area were evacuated over the weekend. On Sunday, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez authorized the deployment of 15 National Guard soldiers to help secure areas around the fire. Meanwhile, crews built protection lines on the fire's western and northern edges. They also made preparations to send five helicopters to focus on the blaze's hotspots, but it wasn't clear if the aircraft were deployed Sunday. For the last several days, high winds had prevented them from taking to the air. In western Colorado, gusty winds have spread two wildfires that have burned more than 7,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of several campgrounds. Meanwhile, winds of more than 60 mph fueled a 2,325-acre fire northwest of Pagosa Springs, and several campgrounds in the area have been evacuated. Also Sunday, a large wildfire was reported east of Pueblo near Fowler, prompting the closure of U.S. 50. The exact size of the fire wasn't immediately clear. In California, ground crews with air support were surrounding a stubborn wildfire that has burned through 4,100 acres of grass and brush in rural San Diego County and had it 90 percent contained by evening.