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N.M. wildfire grows to 82,252 acres

ALBUQUERQUE, May 26 (UPI) -- The Whitewater-Baldy wildfire in southwestern New Mexico has grown to 82,252 acres, burning 12 cabins and 13 outbuildings in a subdivision, authorities said.

The fire, which was zero percent contained, led to a voluntary evacuation of the town of Mogollon, N.M., KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, reported Saturday.

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Winds were expected to continue hindering firefighters battling the blaze Saturday and Sunday.

What had been separate wildfires -- the Whitewater and Baldy fires -- merged into one fire Wednesday.

More than 600 fire personnel were camped out but authorities said it could take a few more days to get the blaze under control.

Meanwhile, a brush fire near Disney World led to the closing of a major central Florida highway for more than two hours Friday.

CNN reported flames as high as 6 feet near Interstate 4 and white and gray smoke could be seen over and around the highway much of the afternoon at the beginning of the busy Memorial Day weekend.

Kim Montes, a spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol, said eastbound lanes of the highway were shut down by 3 p.m. around Osceola Parkway and troopers closed westbound lanes soon after.

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The highway reopened in both directions by 5:30 p.m., Montes said.

Another fire prompted the evacuation of a vacation trailer park for about three hours Friday in Southern California, authorities said.

Sheriff's deputies helped 50 occupants and two horses get out of the Stagecoach Trails RV Resort about 1 p.m. as the Banner fire burned in the Anza-Borrego Desert, U-T San Diego reported.

The occupants were allowed to return about 6 p.m.

About 500 firefighters were battling the Banner fire, which was expected to burn throughout the Memorial Day weekend.

The fire began at 2:15 p.m. Thursday on private land near the base of the Banner Grade, which connects the mountains east of Julian to the desert floor, Cal Fire Capt. Daryll Pina said.

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