A huge wildfire in the US state of Arizona that has forced thousands from their homes, continues to grow as the blaze rages for a ninth day.
The so-called Wallow fire is now the second-largest in the state’s history.
Winds fuelling the flames drove the last hold-outs from Greer, a small town near the New Mexico boarder, and threatened 7,000 residents nearby.
At this point, official say, the wildfire is considered to be 0% contained.
Firefighters used bulldozers on Tuesday, to clear away brush and trees, attempting to create a barrier for area homes as the fire approaches.
Officials say the wildfire is about 10 miles (16 km) outside the adjacent towns of Eagar and Springerville, where residents are preparing to evacuate.
“If given the word, then I’m gonna go,” Eagar resident Gerald McCardle told the Associated Press news agency. “We’re already packed. We packed last night, and we’re out of here.”
Over the border in New Mexico residents of the town of Luna are on similar alert.
Winds have been moving the flames five to eight miles per day since it started over a week ago, say officials, possibly caused by an unattended campfire.
Smoke rising from the flames had reached right across the country on Tuesday, visible six states to the east, and cancelled flights hundreds of miles away.
No serious injuries were reported, but the fire cut into the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, said fire incident command spokeswoman Dellora Guager, and the surrounding town’s futures remained in doubt.
No progress
The Fire, which was first reported on 30 May, has now consumed 311,481 acres (486 sq miles; 1,258 sq km) according to a clickable map on the Arizona Republic website.
The roughly 2,500 firefighters battling the blaze – drafted in from as far away as New York – are being hampered by winds of about 30mph (50km/h), with gusts above 60mph (100km/h).
As of Tuesday no progress had been made containing the fire but it was hoped some gains would have been made by Thursday or Friday, said Matt Benson, a spokesman for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.
“It’s entirely dependent on weather conditions in that part of the state right now,” he said.
A state of emergency has been declared in the counties of Apache and Greenlee.
This is the second largest fire on record in Arizona – a blaze in 2002 burnt through 732 sq miles in the centre of the state.
As well as Arizona, smoke is said to be visible in New Mexico, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado – where some municipal health departments have issued air-quality warnings.
Meanwhile, another wildfire is burning in south-eastern Arizona and threatening two small communities.
A thousand firefighters are tackling that blaze, which is listed as 55% contained, reported Reuters news agency.
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Original post:
Arizona wildfire gains strength