High winds hinder operations as crews battle blazes in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Over 5,000 firefighters have been deployed to combat multiple wildfires across the US south-west, where dry conditions and high winds have fueled dangerous blazes. The fires have caused significant destruction, including a blaze in west Texas that has wiped out dozens of structures, while another major fire in New Mexico continues to rage.
Evacuation orders remain in place for affected residents in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. The strong winds have made it difficult for officials to deploy aircraft to drop fire retardant or water, significantly hampering firefighting efforts.
The dangerous fire weather conditions, driven by gusty winds, high temperatures, and extremely low humidity, are expected to persist into Friday. In New Mexico, where the largest wildfire in the US has been burning for more than a month, officials predict that the number of destroyed structures could exceed 1,000. The situation remains dire as fire crews work tirelessly to control the spread of the flames.