Forest fires burn in nearly half of Mexico’s drought-stricken states, fueled by strong winds.

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Forest fires were reported in at least 15 of Mexico’s 32 states Monday, caused in part by the severe drought that is affecting regions of the country. (AP video/Felix Márquez)

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Wildfires burn parts of a cemetery in Nogales, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. Emergency crews are working to contain wildfires burning across parts of the High Mountains area in Veracruz state. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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A resident looks at his home destroyed by wildfires in Maltrata, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. Emergency crews are working to contain wildfires burning across parts of the high mountains in west-central Veracruz state. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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Soldiers work to contain wildfires in Nogales, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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A villager pulls a hose to help contain a wildfire in Nogales, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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Villagers arrive to take part in efforts to contain a wildfire in Nogales, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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A resident looks at a dead cow burned by wildfires in Maltrata, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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Catalina Villafuerte watches her farm burned by wildfires in Maltrata, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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A villager works to contain wildfires in Nogales, in the High Mountains area of Veracruz state, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

By FÉLIX MÁRQUEZ

NOGALES, Mexico (AP) — Forest fires were burning in nearly half of Mexico’s drought-stricken states Monday fueled by strong winds.

The National Forestry Commission reported 58 active fires in 15 states, including in protected nature reserves in Morelos, Veracruz and Mexico states.

A preliminary estimate of the affected area reached more than 3,500 acres (1,421 hectares), the commission wrote on the social platform X.

Authorities had reported no injuries, but at least some homes were burned at a wildfire in Nogales, Veracruz Monday. A fire burned across mountain farms, killing livestock and charring homes. At least five families were moved to a shelter.

Firefighters battled with a water tanker while residents slapped at flames in their fields with branches.

Alondra Chávez a Nogales resident was among those fighting the flames.

“The wind is beating us and we do what we can,” Chávez said.

Catalina Villafuerte, a resident of Aserradero Maltrata, a nearby community battling another fire, said “Everything is destroyed, the machines to work, beds, mattresses, everything.”