Gila Wilderness wildfire growing

SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) - The Jordan Fire burning near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument has grown to more than 400 acres and now is likely to be fanned by high winds.

The fire of unknown origin grew by about 100 acres on Friday, and wind gusts of 55 mph are in Saturday's forecast, according to a statement from the Gila National Forest Wilderness Ranger District.

The fire is burning in rugged country about three miles east of Copperas Peak and State Road 15 and 10 miles southeast of the national monument headquarters.

The Geronimo Hot Shots from the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona were shuttled to the fire by helicopter Saturday morning and were being supported by bucket drops from a chopper refilling from Lake Roberts.

At last report the fire was creeping through grass and staying close to the ground among Ponderosa pines.

There is also a slight chance of rain in the afternoon forecast.