Cool weather could corral blazes that made thousands flee New Mexico village

Weather patterns were shifting later in the week with moisture from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico, Bladen Breitreiter of the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque said on Wednesday.

Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled the mountainous village as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through homes and other buildings Picture: Village of Ruidoso Tourism Department via AP

Cooler weather — and the chance of rain — could bring some relief but also the risk of danger this week to firefighters battling blazes in southern New Mexico that killed one person, damaged hundreds of structures and forced thousands to evacuate.

Strong wind pushed the larger of two wildfires into the mountain village of Ruidoso, forcing residents to flee immediately with little notice.