State of Emergency declared as Arizona wildfires burn over 200,000 acres

State of Emergency declared as Arizona wildfires burn over 200,000 acres

2011-06-07 20:57:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency as massive wildfires have expanded to over 200,000 acres.

The uncontrolled Wallow Fire, which broke out in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Greenlee county over a week ago, has crossed into the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Apache County, and is now threatening the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona's Division of Emergency Management said.

"ith Brewer's emergency declaration, $200,000 were released from the Governor’s Emergency Funds to pay for emergency responses and recovery expenses for damage. The funds are in addition to the federal grant worth over $7 million to fight the fire.

Strong winds reaching up to 45 miles per hour and dry lightning have further complicated the emergency efforts, as more than 2,500 personnel have been deployed to fight the fire. In addition, 138 vehicles, 12 bulldozers, and 22 helicopters have also been deployed.

As of Monday, officials said the fire covers an area of about 233,000 acres, of which 229,000 acres have already been burned. Around 3,000 residents have been forced to evacuate.

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