The country's biggest wildfire is currently burning in New Mexico.
A much larger portion of the Southwest is designated as being under "critical" risk today.
New Mexico's second-largest wildfire on record, the Calf Canyon Fire, grew to 189,767 acres Sunday through Monday morning. Evacuations expanded from this fire and others.of "extreme fire behavior" today, which means it will be difficult to impossible for firefighters to contain these blazes, though they can make inroads in some areas.This is not the first time this spring that New Mexico and nearby states have contended with severe wildfires.
As of May 5, 98.94% of the state was experiencing "moderate" to "exceptional" drought conditions, amid aThe wildfire threat this week is related to a series of storms riding along the jet stream across the central and northern Rockies. The counterclockwise circulation of air around these areas of low pressure has sparked a strong flow of air out of the west-southwest, transporting dry air into the region.
Wind gusts in Arizona, New Mexico, northwest Texas and parts of Colorado have reached or exceeded the 40 to 60 mph range and are forecast to continue to do so.The same weather pattern giving rise to the heightened wildfire risk is also prompting the heat wave.The extreme heat is unusual for early May, with three locations in Texas hitting 107°F on Saturday, and Amarillo seeing its earliest-ever 100-degree reading .
The heat wave will move into the lower Mississippi Valley and Southern Plains this week, before arriving in the Midwest. Ninety-degree weather will make a run at Chicago by the end of the week.The heat wave, drought and wildfires are all connected, and climate change worsens all three.Studies show this drought is tied to human-caused climate change, as increasing temperatures dry out soils and plants faster, and alter weather patterns in ways that favor drought.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Huge New Mexico wildfire swells and new fires ignite amid 'dire' extreme weather eventNew Mexico's second-largest wildfire on record is continuing to spread, triggering more evacuations, as the state faces a 'dire and critical to extreme fire weather event'
Read more »
New Mexico faces dangerous weather event as winds, heat threaten wildfiresNew Mexico's governor urged residents in mandatory evacuation areas tonight to 'GO NOW,' as the state faces dangerous fire weather that's set to last into next week
Read more »
Texas toast: Heat crushed records Saturday and will swell northwardMuch of the central U.S. faces an extended early May heat wave in the coming week.
Read more »
As temps rise, MedStar offers tips to beat the heatAhead of four days of potentially record-matching or -breaking heat, MedStar is offering tips to help North Texans beat the heat.
Read more »
‘This is Texas’: San Antonio hits record-high temp on Saturday, more could be comingSan Antonio hit 101 degrees Saturday afternoon, breaking a record of 100 degrees set in...
Read more »
Agencies across Denver metro participate in Wildfire Community Preparedness DayAs the winds blew on another critical fire weather day, agencies across the metro were making sure homeowners stay ready as part of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.
Read more »