NEW MEXICO: A fast-moving wildfire tore through the historic Fort Stanton area in southern New Mexico on Monday, scorching over half a square mile (approximately 1.4 square kilometers) and forcing evacuations of nearby campgrounds and a local horse ranch. The blaze damaged three structures at Fort Stanton, a Civil War-era site of historical significance, and extended into adjacent federal conservation lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), according to the Associated Press. The cause of the wildfire remains unknown, but a BLM investigator is expected to begin a formal assessment of the fire’s origin on Tuesday. Efforts to contain the blaze are ongoing, with ground crews, helicopters, and air tankers deployed to the scene. As of Monday, the fire was still uncontained. Firefighters have been working to establish firebreaks and clear vegetation to the north, while aircraft targeted smoldering hotspots from above, said Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the multi-agency response team. Although cooler temperatures—around 75°F (24°C)—and mild winds of 10 mph (16 kph) helped slow the fire’s progression, authorities warned that the threat remains. On Sunday, air tankers dropped fire retardant around the perimeter in an effort to slow the fire's advance. A nearby horse ranch was evacuated as a precaution, and a family of four, along with their horses, was safely relocated. They have since returned home. In addition, three nearby campgrounds were evacuated and remain closed, and Highway 220 near Fort Stanton was temporarily shut down to allow emergency crews unrestricted access. The wildfire has raised alarm in a region still reeling from last year’s devastating blazes that destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in nearby Ruidoso, just 15 miles (24 kilometers) away. That disaster was followed by severe flooding and erosion, compounding the region’s recovery challenges.