Tyler Clifford and Andrew Hay

TAOS (NM) – A combination of unrelenting winds, high temperatures, and low humidity is predicted to ignite a New Mexico wildfire. It has already driven thousands of people from the Santa Fe mountains.

Officials from the U.S. Forest Service said that persistent winds will begin this weekend at 42 mph (72.2 km/h). Temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit are expected in three counties where Calf Canyon Fire has scorched over 168,000 acres (67.987 hectares).

According to Todd Abel (a battalion chief at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group), fire officials responded by adding more firefighters and heavier equipment in case the fire moves northward.

On Saturday, weather systems are expected to begin to blow through the fire zone. He said, “Those systems are likely some of my most windiest and harshest fire-fighting systems that I’ve ever witnessed.”

On Friday, the fire that had scorched more than half New York City was contained to 20%. It burned dry vegetation in and around many centuries-old ranching and farming communities located northeast of Santa Fe.

Since April 6, the largest active fire in America has driven approximately 10,000 residents from their homes, and more than 160 houses have been destroyed in Mora County and San Miguel counties. This is one of 12 Southwest blazes which scientists believe are more common and arrive earlier than usual this year because climate change.

Officials stated that more than half of 4,500 Mora County residents have survived despite dire circumstances to save their homes. Some families had occupied the same houses for hundreds of years, and some have run out on food.