Huge wildfire threatens scenic Arizona towns
June 8, 2011, Wednesday
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SMOKE from a large wildfire burning in the scenic mountain towns of eastern Arizona stretched into nearby states, creating hazy conditions in Iowa and prompting officials to issue health advisories yesterday for the southern half of Colorado.
The 950-square-kilometer blaze has been burning in ponderosa forests for more than a week, consuming thousands of hectares and destroying five buildings since it started on May 29.
It marched north on Monday, aided by wind gusts of more than 96 kilometers per hour.
Fire officials said the blaze laid down a bit overnight and crews planned to work on its northeast side yesterday. New mapping showed some lines have held but the fire was considered zero percent contained.
The wind remained a concern, said fire information officer Kelly Wood. "It's going to kick up again," Wood said.
The fire has forced people to leave their homes in Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer, a picturesque town where most of the 200 full-time residents had already fled by the time deputies started going door-to-door.
"It's heartbreaking," said Allan Johnson who expected to lose his business, Molly Butler Lodge, the oldest in the state.
The 950-square-kilometer blaze has been burning in ponderosa forests for more than a week, consuming thousands of hectares and destroying five buildings since it started on May 29.
It marched north on Monday, aided by wind gusts of more than 96 kilometers per hour.
Fire officials said the blaze laid down a bit overnight and crews planned to work on its northeast side yesterday. New mapping showed some lines have held but the fire was considered zero percent contained.
The wind remained a concern, said fire information officer Kelly Wood. "It's going to kick up again," Wood said.
The fire has forced people to leave their homes in Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer, a picturesque town where most of the 200 full-time residents had already fled by the time deputies started going door-to-door.
"It's heartbreaking," said Allan Johnson who expected to lose his business, Molly Butler Lodge, the oldest in the state.
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