Record Wildfire Season Affecting Arizona, Rest of U.S.

June 14, 2011

As Arizona continues to battle several wildfires, every state in the country now has the potential for a wildfire, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Center said nearly every state in the U.S. has already experienced a wildfire this year, having burned 3.2 million acres. That figure will soon surpass the 3.4 million acres of land and property that burned during all of last year, it said.

In Arizona, firefighters said the Wallow fire in eastern Arizona is 10 percent contained, and is no longer threatening the White Mountain communities of Eagar and Springerville. The Forest Service reported yesterday that the big fire had burned 444,000 acres or 693 square miles. The fire has destroyed 29 residences, damaged five and is threatening 2,700 buildings.

Officials reported the Horseshoe Two fire was 45 percent contained, having burned 141,301 acres — more than 220 square miles.

Evacuations continue for the Arizona communities of Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, the Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mountain Acres, and H-V Ranch.

Topics Catastrophe USA Natural Disasters Wildfire Arizona

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