FORT WORTH, TX --
Wildfires in parts of Texas and New Mexico have destroyed five homes and prompted evacuation orders. Officials in New Mexico are concerned about a 40-square-mile blaze in the town of Knowles. The fire has been rapidly spreading after being fueled by winds of up to 45 miles-per-hour. In Texas, firefighters are battling high winds to prevent flames from advancing on hundreds of buildings and two dozen oil and gas structures.
Fires are burning in parts of the state from western to central Texas. One is being investigated as a possible arson.
Officials say near record-high temperatures, strong winds, low humidity and dry grass in Texas are ingredients for devastating wildfires.
Nearly all of the state is under a burn ban.