More than 1,000 firefighters are taking advantage of the weather to get the upper hand on a pair of fires in New Mexico that killed two people, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee. President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration Thursday, freeing up funding and more resources as crews kept the flames from spreading. Their efforts got a boost Wednesday after a storm unleashed a curtain of rain and hail, and humidity levels and cooler temperatures persisted Thursday. An estimated 1,400 structures have been destroyed or damaged, and authorities say it's too early to let residents back into the commuity to check on their homes.
