wildfires

Coconino National Forest officials say the lightning-caused Committee Fire grew Sunday due to erratic shifting winds caused by thunderstorms. The Big Sandy Fire in Mohave County forced evacuations in the community of Wikieup.

Cooler weather is helping nearly 3,000 firefighters in New Mexico prevent the nation’s largest active wildfire from growing.

President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration that brings new financial resources to remote stretches of northern New Mexico devastated by fire.

All remaining evacuation orders will be lifted Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for the Crooks Fire burning south of Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains.

The Crooks Fire burning near Prescott is now 83% contained at just over 9,400 acres. Many evacuations have been lifted. Tunnel Fire is close to full containment.

A wildfire near a small northeastern New Mexico community is expected to keep growing, but authorities are encouraged by a forecast for Tuesday of improving humidity and shifting winds.

Despite critical fire weather this weekend and winds in excess of 50 mph, firefighters gained more containment of wildfires burning in northern Arizona.

The Crooks Fire burning south of Prescott is now 23% contained after burning more than 9,000 acres so far.

As wildfires intensify across the West, researchers are studying how scorched trees could lead to a faster snowmelt and end up disrupting water supplies.

A wildfire in southern New Mexico has claimed the lives of two people and more than 200 structures have burned.