Residents haven't been able to fully survey the damage, partly because the forecast has even stronger winds in store that experts say could lead to more explosive fire growth.
the so-called Tunnel Fire's flames could be fanned Thursday and Friday by gusts up to 50 mph in most of northern Arizona.
About 25 structures have been lost in the blaze. Coconino County officials pointed residents to a system where they could seek help with food, temporary housing and other needs. Some 765 homes were evacuated. Hundreds of people have been evacuated because of wildfires burning in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Popular lakes and national monuments have been closed — some because fire has moved directly over them. U.S. 89, the main route between Flagstaff and far northern Arizona, and communities on the Navajo Nation, remained closed.
"I can't tell you for sure, but I don't think so," McGrath said."And I know that's not a satisfying answer when people are going through what they're going through right now."Another big fire southeast of Taos, New Mexico, also has burned more than 30 square miles, but it's in a rural area where no structures have been destroyed and a small number of evacuations ordered.
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