(Reuters] -A wildfire fueled by winds in Arizona nearly tripled its area Wednesday afternoon after burning dozens upon structures and forcing thousands of people to flee homes in drought-stricken rural areas.

According to Inciweb’s fire information system, the Tunnel Fire, also known as the Tunnel Fire, was a blaze that swept northwest over unpopulated hills, 14 miles (23km) north Flagstaff. It burned 16,625 acres or more than Manhattan.

True Brown, a Coconino National Forest fire manager, said that the fire was moving at a rapid pace. He spoke to reporters on Tuesday night. It is vital to evacuate the fire zone.

Coconino county Board of Supervisors stated that the fire was caused by traditional gusty spring winds and forced over 2,000 people from their homes. 24 buildings were destroyed by the blaze.

This area of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah is part of a large region that was subject to a prolonged drought. The average temperature rose by 1.4% in the past 100 years, and the desert research institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have data.

An elderly couple was killed in Ruidoso (New Mexico) last week. The wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes and drove thousands from the mountain community forced them to flee.