Strong winds are fanning the flames of a wildfire burning in the Chuska Mountains near the New Mexico-Arizona border.
Fire officials said Monday they were conducting reconnaissance missions to get a better handle on the fire's size, but Navajo Nation officials say more than three square miles have already been charred.
The Assayii Lake Fire is burning about 10 miles northeast of the tribal community of Navajo. It has forced the closure of two roads in the area and the resulting plumes of smoke have reached southern Colorado.
More than 250 firefighters and support personnel have been assigned to the blaze.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service are warning of critical fire weather, with strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity levels. The conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday.
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