A massive wildfire in the New Mexico wilderness that already is the largest in state history spread in all directions Thursday, and experts say it's likely a preview of things to come as states across the West contend with a dangerous recipe of wind, low humidity and tinder-dry fuels.

The erratic Gila National Forest blaze grew overnight to more than 190,000 acres, or nearly 300 square miles, as it raced across the area's steep, ponderosa pine-covered hills and through its rugged canyons.

The 2-week-old Gila forest fire is the largest wildfire burning in the country.

Gov. Susana Martinez viewed the fire from a New Mexico National Guard helicopter Thursday afternoon and saw the thick smoke among some of the steep canyons that are inaccessible to firefighters.

Along the fire's northern edge, Martinez spotted crews doing burnout operations designed to slow the erratic blaze, which has surpassed the Los Conchas fire as the state's largest ever. That fire charred 156,593 acres last year and threatened the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the nation's premier nuclear facility.