Clinton Declares State of Emergency.

Byline: Dale Lezon Journal Northern Bureau

SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST -- President Clinton declared a state of emergency Thursday in northern New Mexico as wildfires have scorched thousands of acres and dry conditions make the threat of new fires possible.

Clinton's announcement means the state will have federal money available to position firefighting equipment and personnel from other states to battle future flare-ups, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said.

And Gov. Gary Johnson declined to invoke the state's Riot Control Act to ban the sale and use of fireworks as requested by city and county officials in Santa Fe.

The president's action is too late to help firefighters battling the Oso Complex Fire about 10 miles north of Los Alamos, but Mother Nature gave them some relief in the form of rain and increased humidity.

The high-intensity fire in the rugged Jemez Mountains has consumed 5,120 acres since two small fires merged Sunday. Heavy winds late Tuesday night had driven it north to within 11 miles of Abiquiu and Wednesday it had threatened private property just south of the Abiquiu Land Grant. No buildings were burned there or at the Santa Clara Pueblo at the south edge of the blaze.

Thursday, firefighters took advantage of relief from thunderstorms Wednesday that dropped a quarter-inch of rain and lowered temperatures.