Arizona wildfires spread to 389,000 acres, 2 towns evacuate

[News_Editor]

Arizona wildfires spread to 389,000 acres, 2 towns evacuate

2011-06-09 07:32:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- Two towns have been ordered to evacuate as Arizona's wildfires continue to spread on their 12th day, officials said Wednesday.

The Apache County Sheriff's Office ordered the towns of Springerville and Eager, which have 2,000 and 4,000 residents respectively, to evacuate, as the Wallow Fire has not been contained at all and has spread to around 389,000 acres in the eastern region of Arizona. The American Red Cross set up two shelters at for those evacuating at Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has partially closed State Route 260 near Springerville and Eager. It is currently closed in both directions east of the Hawley Lake turnoff (State Route 473 junction) and Eager. ADOT said there was no estimated time for reopening the highway, as the department's highway crews are providing on-scene assistance.

In addition, ADOT discouraged drivers from traveling on US 60 in the area since the route may close at anytime based on conditions and fire-management operations. There are now over 200 miles of highways closed due to wildfires.

On Tuesday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer declared a State of Emergency, releasing $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.

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 continues to threaten the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona's Division of Emergency Management said.

Strong winds reaching up to 45 miles per hour and dry lightning on Tuesday further complicated the emergency efforts, and Wednesday's forecast said winds could reach up to 35 miles per hour.

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.

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