AN elderly couple has been found dead in their home as a raging wildfire burns in New Mexico.
They were found inside a scorched property in the village of Ruidoso on Wednesday.
The victims have not been identified as investigations are ongoing.
Police said they received reports that the couple was trying to escape their home.
The McBride fire has already torched around 5,000 acres as it rages in the Sierra Blanca mountain range.
Officials said on Wednesday that the blaze is zero percent contained, according to New Mexico Fire Information.
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Winds of 60mph have fuelled the blaze and around 150 homes have been destroyed.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque urged residents: "Take this fire seriously. This is a very dangerous situation."
Crews couldn’t fly air tankers to tackle the fire because of the strong gusts.
Mandatory evacuation orders were imposed for residents in Moon Mountain, Gavilan Canyon, and Paradise Canyon.
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An evacuation has been ordered for those who live in Eagle Creek, Homestead Acres, Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates, Old Fort Stanton Road, and Airport Road.
The power was switched off, affecting more than 18,000 people.
The high winds knocked out telephone lines, according to KOAT7 News.
Officials in San Miguel County evacuated several small communities on Tuesday afternoon as the fire pushed toward the northeast.
Firefighters are braced for a busy wildfire season.
Five blazes – The Hermit's Peak, McBride, Overflow, Big Hole, and Nogal Canyon – have torched more than 13,000 acres combined in the state.
The Overflow fire is 100 percent contained as it burned almost 2,000 acres of land in total last week.
Meanwhile, officials said on Wednesday that the Big Hole fire is 40 per cent contained.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham pleaded: "Do not burn."
More to follow…
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