Gales fan big fires across three states

MORE than 1,600 firefighters are battling nine wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona.

Parts of Colorado are also burning amid tinder dry conditions in the south-west of America.

Ferocious winds and high temperatures have helped the flames consume more than 100 square miles.

In one of the biggest fires, 30 homes and other buildings were destroyed near Flagstaff, Arizona.

More gusts are expected to batter the region through the weekend.

Fire behaviour analyst Stewart Turner said: “It’s a very chaotic, extreme situation out there.”