Firefighters continued to fight the devastating wildfires in southwest America on Friday. In New Mexico, officials issued more evacuation orders, warning that strong winds were pushing the Calf Canyon into new areas. The U.S. Forest Service announced Saturday that the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires – which merged last weekend – now total 97,064 acres. The flames have been reduced by 32%, with more than a thousand people on the spot. DANGEROUS FIRE THE WEATHER AROUND US THREATENS THE EFFORT TO LET THE FLIGHTS Stormy conditions prevented any air strikes until noon on Friday, although there were no immediate reports of new structures being lost. At least 166 homes have been destroyed in San Miguel County. On Friday, more than 2,000 firefighters battled wildfires in both Magic Land and Arizona. The Bronze State Forest Service announced that the fire and smoking restrictions will apply to Coconino National Park on May 5 and that the Flagstaff city government will introduce the fire restrictions in Stage 1 at the same time. The fire in the Tunnel, north of Flagstaff, was reduced by 89% on Friday to 19,075 acres. A top national management team delivered it back to the local forest on Friday. However, the fire had already destroyed at least 30 houses and forced hundreds to evacuate. MILLIONS SHOULD CUT THE USE OF WATER IN DROUGHT CALIFORNIA Some residents near another fire 10 miles south of Prescott have not been allowed to return home. Crooks Fire has been reduced by 38% and extends to 9,393 acres. Weaker winds were expected over the weekend, but low humidity would be a cause for concern, fire officials said. Red flag warnings were in effect Friday for almost all of New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Fires burn unusually hot and fast for this time of year. The threat of increased fire risk across the country is expected to continue in the summer, according to a recent perspective issued by NIFC. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION More than a million acres are burned nationwide from January 1st. Fire has been a threat all year round west. Scientists say the problems have been exacerbated by decades of fire suppression and mismanagement along with a drought over more than 20 years that studies link to man-made climate change. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
