Massive New Mexico wildfire is visible from space

NASA

NASA satellite image shows wildfires burning in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, May 31, 2012. The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire is the biggest in the state's history, officials said. Image taken May 31, 2012.

With more than 300 miles of burn zone, the unrelenting wildfire is the largest-ever in New Mexico and the smoke is spreading over population centers. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.

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Fires like this are what happen when you reforest areas that were originally lightly forested, then prevent Mother Nature from cleaning up all the mess the way she usually does, with wildfires. Too many of our forest lands have had natural fires suppressed for so long than now, any time a fire does get started, there is far too much fuel for it to burn on the ground. Consequently, when a fire does take off, it is almost impossible to control.