Due to excellent weather, firefighters battling wildfires in New Mexico made headway on Thursday. Windy and dry conditions have fueled the fires, burning grass, brush, and tinder. The fires damaged buildings and prompted thousands of people to flee.

According to the US Forest Service, the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak complex spanned 168,009 acres and was 20% controlled on Friday. More than 1,370 firefighters on the ground and in the air are battling the blaze, and thanks to “moderate” winds, the agency claimed “a lot of progress” was achieved on Thursday.

With over 750 personnel on the scene, crews working on the Cerro Pelado Fire were also able to make progress. The fire has expanded to 32,121 acres and is just 13 percent controlled, prompting new evacuations. Over the weekend, though, the scenario is likely to deteriorate, with exceptional fire weather and heavy winds aggravating the hazard.

“Due to the duration and area affected, the approaching wind storm is expected to be historic,” the Forest Service said. “People must continue to monitor changes in the evacuation status and pay heed to emergency messages.”

According to Fox Weather Meteorologist Nick Kosir, southwestern winds will pass across the Sierra Madre mountain range and will be warm. According to Kosir, a record high temperature of 101 degrees might be set in Roswell, New Mexico.

In other parts of the Southwest, officials in Arizona have imposed limits on campfires and other fire sources due to above-normal wildfire conditions. On a map issued Thursday, the US Dryness Monitor revealed that 91.09 percent of the West is experiencing moderate to extreme drought.

In the region, wildfires have become a year-round concern.