5 figures show the severity of the fires that devastate New Mexico

UN alerts on increase in forest fires 0:49

(CNN Spanish) --

Firefighters are fighting tirelessly against the multiple fires that are ravaging New Mexico, including the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, which is the second largest in the state's history.

And the situation is not expected to improve in the coming days.

President Joe Biden this week declared a state of major disaster in New Mexico, unlocking key federal aid to tackle the blazes.

The money can be used for temporary home and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help residents and business owners get back on their feet, the statement said.

These five figures allow us to understand the seriousness of the situation that the state is going through.

More than 121,400 hectares burned in New Mexico by fires

So far this year, more than 121,400 hectares have burned in New Mexico.

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This area is more than what burned in the previous two years combined, according to CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller.

This is what smoke from wildfires near Las Vegas, New Mexico looked like on Wednesday.

80km/h

At one point, the raging Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire was raging at 50 mph, according to Travis Regensberg, a contractor brought to New Mexico to help protect homes and buildings.

"It's been a nightmare," Regensberg told CNN Thursday, saying he has worked for 17 days straight, sleeping just three or four hours a night to protect communities affected by the flames.

Firefighters have protected buildings by creating perimeter rings around them and using bulldozers to cut fire lines, he said.

In addition, they try to minimize damage to septic and well systems so people have "a place to come back to," Regensberg said.

twenty%

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, which by Friday morning had already consumed some 68,000 hectares, is 20% contained, according to the interagency information website Inciweb.

15,000 houses

Dozens of homes have been destroyed by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire and some 15,000 more are at risk, according to officials.

"I'm 71 years old. I've never seen (something) so bad, so big ... I mean it was huge," New Mexico resident Barbara Kuehl told CNN.

Kuehl and her husband, David Kuehl, lost power at their home in Holman, located north of the burning areas, but are thankful their home was saved, she said.

By the end of the week, the wind had calmed down, according to reports, but authorities warned that it would pick up again this weekend, making it even more difficult to fight the fire.

Gary Zell, an incident meteorologist for the US Forest Service, warned that clouds and smoke, combined with low humidity and wind direction, will contribute to "extreme burning conditions" over the weekend and into Tuesday. in the next week.

30

Nearly 30 towns in San Miguel and Mora counties are under a full evacuation notice due to the fire.

"This is a long-term event and we do not anticipate being 'in control' of this fire any time soon," according to a statement from both counties.

With reporting from CNN's Paradise Afshar, Michelle Krupa, Aya Elamroussi, Paul Vercammen and Brandon Miller.