LOS LUNAS, N.M. — A fast-moving wildfire that erupted Saturday near Los Lunas, known as the Desert Willow Complex Fire, has destroyed nine structures and affected dozens more, according to New Mexico Fire officials.
The blaze, which includes both the Cotton 1 and Cotton 2 fires, ignited on June 21 and quickly spread through residential areas, prompting evacuations and road closures. By Monday, June 23, authorities reported that 36 additional structures had been impacted by smoke damage or fire retardant slurry drops.
Local resident Makayla Drew shared a harrowing account of how her 3-year-old daughter may have helped save lives. Drew told KOAT that they were driving home when her daughter spotted smoke in the area.
“I was just driving past, right down the road. My daughter said, ‘Oh no, there’s smoke.’ I called 911 right away,” Drew recalled.
Drew followed the smoke to Willow Court, where she discovered the fire burning dangerously close to homes. She immediately alerted an elderly neighbor who was unaware of the threat.
“In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘I have to knock on the door to save that woman.’ It was scary,” Drew said. “They had no idea there was a fire behind their house… and then everyone started evacuating.”
As residents rushed to protect their homes, Drew’s family took action to save pets. “My mom and my sisters were rescuing dogs because people were evacuating. We saved four dogs in total,” she said.
Fire crews have since contained the fire enough to lift evacuation orders and road closures, according to Valencia County Emergency Management.
Officials continue to assess the damage, and fire crews remain on scene to monitor flare-ups. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
