Wildfires rage across Colorado, southwestern US

New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma are all currently battling fires with tens of thousands of acres burned.

Wildfires rage across Colorado, southwestern US

Temperatures are set to soar across the American Southwest and Southern Plains, reaching the low 40s Celsius.

The Central and Northern Plains, while not as hot, will see temperatures as much as 10C above average.

The heat, gusty winds over 65km/h (40 mph), and low humidity are favourable conditions for fires to grow and spread.

The National Weather Service has issued red-flag warnings across five states, telling residents to avoid any activities that involve open flames or could produce sparks.

Lightning sparked a wildfire in the Catalina Mountains of Arizona in the first week of June, which is only 22-percent contained, as the dry, windy conditions fuelled the ongoing blaze.

The Bringham Fire, also in Arizona, began on June 6 and is now at nearly 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) and only 5-percent contained.

The National Park Service was forced to close the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as the Magnum Fire continues to rage, with only 2 percent contained and more than 10,000 hectares (24,200 acres) burned.

The fires in Arizona have so far burned nearly 34,500 hectares (85,250 acres).

New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma are all currently battling wildfires.

The National Interagency Fire Center reported 11 wildfires throughout the three states with 18,000 hectares (44,475 acres) burned.

As the hot, dry and windy weather continues this week, the fire danger will remain at critical levels.

This news was originally published at aljazeera.com