Wildfires continue to burn near Santa Barbara, in New Mexico

GOLETA — The Latest on wildfires in the Weste U.S. (all times local):

8 a.m.

A wildfire racing across central New Mexico has charred more than 26 square miles and destroyed two dozen homes near the small community of Chilili.

Authorities said Friday that the latest infrared mapping shows the fire is holding south and west of State Highway 337 and is a half-mile from Chilili, which was evacuated earlier this week as the fire ballooned in size thanks to hot, dry and windy conditions.

Authorities expanded the area covered by mandatory evacuations oveight to include a few more subdivisions. They could not immediately say how many homes were immediately threatened by the fire.

Several roads are closed in the area and shelters have been set up in surrounding communities.

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7 a.m.

A wildfire west of Santa Barbara is still buing out of control in coastal canyons above the Pacific Ocean.

The blaze bued down to U.S. 101 oveight, forcing closure of one of Califoia’s major north-south highways from 8:30 p.m. Thursday until it was reopened shortly before dawn Friday.

The fire was last measured at just over 2 square miles, but that number is expected to increase when officials hold a late-moing press conference.

The blaze broke out Wednesday afteoon and has been chuing through vegetation that hasn’t bued in decades. Despite vigorous fire activity, there have been no injuries and no loss of homes.

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7:39 a.m.

A wildfire buing in tinder dry forest and grassland in central New Mexico southeast of Albuquerque has destroyed 24 homes and 21 minor structures.

Fire managers released the damage information oveight after saying previously that the blaze destroyed some structures near the small community of Chilili as it made a big push Wednesday night.

Approximately 630 persoel are assigned to the fire. It has bued 25 square miles since it started Tuesday moing.

The cause remains under investigation.

Gov. Susana Martinez declared a state of emergency hours before residents in Chilili, Mercid, Escobosa and Yrisarri were forced to leave their homes Wednesday.

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