Arizona wildfires grow to some 450,000 acres

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) — Arizona’s wildfires continue to grow and are now spreading into the state of New Mexico, even though the U.S. Forest Service said on Monday that around 10 percent of the fires have now been contained.

The Wallow Fire, which broke out in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Greenlee county on May 29, has now spread to around 450,000 acres, destroying 29 houses and damaging another five. Some 2,700 residences remain threatened.

Full evacuation of the Arizona towns of Springerville and Eager, which have 2,000 and 4,000 residents respectively, has been lifted, although fire activity and health risks associated with air quality continue.

The Apache County Sheriff’s Office ordered the towns’ evacuation last week, while the State of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said air quality in the towns’ areas remain a health concern, recommending residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates.

Evacuations remain effective in Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, as well as the Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mountain Acres, and the H-V Ranch. While firefighters have extended their burnout operations just northwest of Luna, New Mexico, no evacuations have been ordered in the state.

There are currently more than 4,000 firefighters working in the area with 15 helicopters and 5 air tankers available to fight the fires – which are expected to cost over $10 million in damages. In addition, 334 vehicles have also been deployed.

During the weekend, firefighters finished burnout operations between Forest Road (FR) 275 and FR 220 northeast of Alpine, while burnout was completed near South Fork, the U.S. Forest Service said.

In addition, a 3-mile burnout operation was completed in the Turkey Creek drainage along FR 281 toward Blue Creek, as good progress continued along the southwest and west flanks of the fire.