The smoke lingering over Silver City is not from the Skates Fire, but from a new blaze detected earlier today.

Looks like all the predictions that the dry weather here in the Gila would increase the risk of fire were correct:

The Bear Fire, which started early this afternoon about 17 miles east of Alma, NM is now estimated to be approximately 7,000 acres in size. Private residences and campgrounds in the Willow Creek, Snow Lake, and N-Bar Ranch areas were evacuated during the afternoon hours as the fire advanced.

…

A Type III Incident Management organization has been established to manage fire suppression operations on the fire until a Type I Incident Management Team arrives to take over. Firefighting resources from the Gila National Forest have responded to the fire, and many additional resources have been ordered. Approximately 200 firefighters are being reassigned from the Skates Fire to provide assistance on the Bear Fire until the outstanding orders are filled and all ordered resources have arrived on the fire.
(emphasis mine)

The fire grew 7,000 acres in one day?!