LOS ANGELES, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) raised on Thursday the nation's wildfire preparedness to its highest level as dozens of new fires started in the U.S. West.

    "It's driven by a couple of things: The number of large fires we have, and also the fires are occurring in several states and in several geographic areas," said Randy Eardley, a NIFC spokesman. "The resources we have are being stretched thin."

    The level was raised as dry lightning blasted and sparked dozens of new blazes in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah. This allows fire managers to request help from additional crews, including from Canada and Australia, and soldiers with National Guard units could be mobilized.

    Since Monday, there have been more than 1,000 new fires reported across the West, Eardley said.

    About 15,000 U.S. firefighters already were battling nearly 70 big wildfires in 12 states, according to Eardley.

    Dry, windy conditions, thunderstorms and temperatures were forecast to continue across most of the Rocky Mountain area through next week.