( CNN ) -- One of the worst wildfires in Arizona history grew by 40,000 acres Monday , forcing the evacuation of thousands as crews battled heavy winds in trying to prevent the 30-mile line from advancing further , officials said . The `` Wallow Fire , '' as the blaze is known , has scorched 233,522 acres as of Monday evening -- up more than 21 % from the 192,746 acres reported that morning -- said Terri Wildermuth , a spokeswoman for the Incident Management Team that is overseeing firefighting efforts . `` We had a hard day today , '' Joe Reinarz , an incident commander , told those attending a town hall meeting in Greer , Arizona , on Monday evening . `` I do n't know exactly where that fire is at this moment , because it is moving so fast . '' The eastern Arizona wildfire , which began May 29 , has forced the closure of the Apache National Forest and prompted the evacuation of about 3,000 people , said Mark Weldon of the Arizona Red Cross . Some 2,000 of those are in Alpine , about 700 are in Greer , 200 to 300 are in Nutrioso , and fewer than 100 are in Sunrise . The National Weather Service instituted a `` red flag warning , '' which means weather conditions are ripe for wildfires , for much of the northern half of the state . In eastern Arizona , southwest winds blew 25 to 28 mph through the region Monday with nighttime gusts forecast to blow as strong as 40 mph . Wind speeds are expected to slow somewhat but still be strong in the coming days , the weather service said , with daytime temperatures in the most affected regions forecast in the mid-60s . `` Tomorrow , ( the wind ) is supposed to pick back up all through Thursday , '' said Reinarz . `` We 've got two or three days ahead ... that will try all of us . '' The U.S. Forest Service said the fire is the fourth largest in Arizona 's history , but Brad Pitassi of the incident management team said it is the third largest . While there have been no significant injuries so far , officials and area residents complained of heavy smoke that has blanketed the area like fog . `` To me , it feels like I 'm suffocating , '' Deanna Davis told CNN affiliate KTVK . `` Smoke just sits in this valley and it sucks the air right out of you . '' Davis , who manages Davis True Value Hardware store in Springerville , Arizona , said the fire and resulting smoke had forced a run on her store from customers looking to buy face masks . Among the evacuees was Jessie Walker , who along with his wife , Holly , abandoned the house he built in Nutrioso with his own hands to escape the approaching fire , according to Phoenix-based CNN affiliate KNXV . `` What a person do n't realize is is how hard it is to face something like that , '' Walker told KNXV . `` You think you 're prepared for it , you think you 're mentally prepared for it , physically prepared for it . You 're not . `` It 's hard , '' Walker said , fighting back tears . The Walkers took as many of their possessions as they could even though there was n't enough time to pack . Those belongings are now stored in a trailer out of harm 's way . Walker said he has a brother who stayed behind . `` He wants to fight for what 's his and I do n't blame him , '' Walker said . The fire has bedeviled fire crews with its unpredictable path , thanks to wind gusts that have carried burning embers up to three miles . Apache County Deputy Chief Sheriff Brannon Eagar on Monday evening urged people in the area , even if they have n't been ordered to evacuate yet , to get ready to leave . `` They ca n't predict how fast it 's going to go , '' Eagar said at the town hall event in Greer . `` So make sure , please , you get ready . `` If I can convince anybody , please go . It 'll make your life so much easier , '' he added . `` This thing is huge . '' CNN 's Ben Smith , Chelsea J. Carter , Phil Gast and Dana Ford contributed to this report .
NEW : A fire official says the next 2 to 3 days will likely continue to be difficult . NEW : A deputy sheriff urges people in the area to prepare to evacuate . The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for parts of central and eastern Oklahoma through Saturday morning. About 3,000 people in eastern Arizona have been told to evacuate .