Rains help, but wildfires still burning

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Despite the rain now dampening parts of New Mexico, wildfires continue to burn.

The Horse Canyon Fire burning west of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park has grown to 6,000 acres.

The community of Queen continues to be threatened, but no evacuations have been ordered.

The fire, which was sparked by lightning on Friday, is now 35 percent contained.

The fire isn't keeping the public from visiting Carlsbad Caverns, and tours of the caverns are on schedule.

Fire-team managers report they are close to full containment of the Whitewater Baldy Complex Fire burning in the Gila National Forest.

Now the new concern is flooding in the burn scar areas.

Nearly 300,000 acres of rugged, mountainous country burned, and with heavy rainfall in the forecast over the next few days, New Mexico State Police and Motor Transportation Police are deploying additional officers to Catron County.

They will help with security patrols, traffic control, evacuations and calls for service if they're needed or requested by the sheriff's department.

The Catwalk National Recreation Area, closed early in the Whitewater fire, remains closed now due to flood danger. A contractor and firefighters have removed the metals bridges from the narrow canyon to keep it clear in case Whitewater Creek floods.