Staff Report
NewsWest 9
LOVINGTON, N.M. (AP) - Officials at an oil refining facility in southeastern New Mexico say they have avoided damage from a fast-moving grass fire.
The fire came close to the refinery south of Lovington, but Navajo Refinery environmental manager Johnny Lackey says none of the flames made it onto the property.
Lackey says there was no impact to operations and no employees were evacuated.
Authorities say the wind-driven fire broke out Monday morning near Lovington. It jumped two state highways and charred an estimated 25,000 acres of private and state land.
State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware says firefighters stopped the spread of the blaze at New Mexico Highway 18.
Crews used road graders to cut containment lines along the fire's perimeter. They planned to mop up through the evening and watch for hot spots.
