Baghdad: US authorities have warned more than 4.5 million people of high temperatures, strong winds, and low relative humidity, which will continue through the weekend in the southwestern United States.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the National Weather Service has issued a red warning, meaning “life and property are threatened by existing or potential wildfires due to weather and fuel conditions.” New Mexico is at extreme risk, the highest level of warning issued by the service, due to wind gusts that could reach 60 mph on Thursday, with relative humidity ranging between 5 and 10 percent.

Officials stated that parts of eastern Arizona and New Mexico are at critical risk, the second-highest level of warning, including the cities of Tucson, Catalina Foothills, Las Cruces, and Roswell. They explained that dry and stormy conditions will increase the risk of wildfires in these areas and will continue to intensify.