A major forest fire along Arizona's eastern border is burning completely uncontained as high winds and low humidity have triggered a declaration of emergency that coordinates the entire state's response.
Yesterday responders experienced extreme behavior on the Wallow fire due to firecast high winds and low humidity; similar weather conditions are expected today, the Arizona Emergency Information Network said on Tuesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a 'Red Flag Warning' for southeastern Arizona, most of New Mexico, as well as parts of northern Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma as amid critical fire weather conditions.
The fire has become the second largest in the state's history. Reports say smoke has caused hazy skies in Denver several hundred miles away. The fire has expanded north after it began over a week ago.
The Wallow Fire has spread to at least 311,000 acres (486 square miles) from 230,00 acres (359 square miles), the Arizona Republic reported.
Fire officials said Tuesday morning that four structures had been destroyed and 384 structures were in harm's way. More than 2,500 people are attempting to put it out the fire.
The Arizona National Guard said three 2,500 gallon fuel tankers were supporting firefighting operations for an indefinite time, according to KVOA.
Second Major Fire
Nearly 900 responders are taking on smaller, but still significant Horseshoe two fire, about 60 miles south of the Wallow Fire near Portal, Arizona. It has burned through 162 square miles (104,285 acres) and is 55 percent contained, according to AZEIN.
Firefighters are fortifying containment lines on the north and northwest portions of the wildfire to protect the community of Whitetail and Chiricahua National Monument.
Strong wind gusts may again prevent the use of helicopters to support firefighters, according to a notice.
The Coronado National Forest just west will close on Thursday at noon due to concerns.
On Monday Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a Declaration of Emergency, releasing $200,000 in funds to pay for emergency responses and recovery expenses. The state's emergency operations center has opened to coordinate Arizona's response.
So far, all costs associated with the response had been paid for by a federal fire management assistance grant.
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A view of the Wallow Wildfire is pictured in the distance seen along the U.S. Route 180 as smoke fills the sky in Luna, New Mexico June 6, 2011. A wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of a third town on Monday and crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a ninth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona.REUTERSA man visiting from Alaska looks at a recently posted map of the Wallow Wildfire in Springerville, Arizona June 7, 2011. The wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of Springerville and Eagar on Tuesday as the fire crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a tenth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona.REUTERSRaney Pate, 11, hugs her dog Abby as she prepares to evacuate Wallow Wildfire with her other pets as smoke fills the sky in Springerville, Arizona June 7, 2011. The wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of Springerville and Eagar Tuesday as the fire crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a tenth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona.REUTERSFirefighters wait to receive orders while they take a break from the Wallow Wildfire as smoke fills the sky in Luna, New Mexico June 6, 2011. The wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of a third town on Monday and crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a ninth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona.REUTERSRobert Joseph rides his all terrain vehicles along U.S. Route 180 as smoke from the Wallow Wildfire fills the sky in Luna, New Mexico June 6, 2011. Firefighters battling the raging wildfire in eastern Arizona made slight progress in preventing the spread of a blaze that has charred over 200,000 acres of prime forest, officials said on Monday. The fire which started in Arizona last week is now threating Western New Mexico. More than 1,300 firefighters from across the nation are trying to contain the fire to protect several small mountain communities and stop the stubborn wildfire, burning about 250 miles northeast of Phoenix.REUTERSCattle graze in a field as smoke from the Wallow wildfire settles in the sky near Eagar, Arizona June 5, 2011. Firefighters battling the raging wildfire in eastern Arizona made slight progress in preventing the spread of a blaze that has charred over 150,000 acres of prime forest, officials said on Sunday. More than 1,300 firefighters from across the nation are trying to contain the fire to protect several small mountain communities and stop the stubborn wildfire, burning about 250 miles northeast of Phoenix.REUTERSA woman takes a photo of smoke rising from the Wallow Wildfire near Greer, Arizona June 7, 2011. The wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of Springerville and Eagar on Tuesday as the fire crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a tenth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona.REUTERS
