Seven states in the central and southwest US were facing "extreme fire risk" late Sunday, officials said, as gusting winds sent massive blazes flaring up and jumping roadways, especially in Arizona.
Arizona and New Mexico had red flag warnings in effect, meaning that critical fire weather conditions are taking place or imminent, said the National Weather Service (NWS).
Other states facing high wildfire risks were Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, CNN television reported.
At least 6,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from two towns in the path of a historic blaze in Arizona, the largest in the state's history, and some homes have been destroyed, but so far no serious injuries have been reported, officials said.
In Arizona the growing Monument fire that started June 12 surged and authorities ordered evacuations along Highway 92, which the fire, fueled by 80 km/h (50 mph) winds, was able to jump, The Phoenix Sun reported late Sunday.
"Strong southwest winds and single digit relative humidity have caused difficult firefighting conditions for fire crews on both the Wallow and Monument fires in eastern Arizona," the NWS said.
Officials noted that the more damaging Wallow fire has already burned over 511,000 acres, (207,000 hectares) of the state's forests and wilderness, and was still only 51 percent contained.
Strong southwesterly winds have limited firefighters from using aircraft against the fires in the state, the NWS said.
High pressure systems are expected later in the week in southwestern parts of the country, which will likely result in lighter winds, but warmer temperatures that could fuel the blaze.
