THE PINE LODGE FIRE IN THE LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN NINE THOUSAND ACRES…AND THERE NOW IS FIVE PERCENT CONTAINMENT. MORE THAN 500 PERSONNEL ARE NOW WORKING THE FIRE NEAR THE CAPITAN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS. NEW MEXICO STATE ROAD 246 FROM CAPITAN TO ROSWELL REMAINS CLOSED, EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS. FOREST OFFICIALS SAY COOLER TEMPERATURES AND SLIGHTLY HIGHER HUMIDITIES ARE HELPING REDUCE THE FIRE ACTIVITY. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION
