Wallow fire explodes to more than 300,000 acres

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. -- A huge wildfire in eastern Arizona has consumed 78,000 acres in less than 24 hours to become Arizona's second-largest wildfire ever.

At mid-day Tuesday, fire officials said the Wallow fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has grown to 311,481 acres. That makes the Wallow fire second only to the Rodeo-Chedeski fire, which burned 467,000 in 2002. It surpassed the 244,000-acre Cave Creek Complex fire northeast of Phoenix in 2005.

Since it started May 29, the Wallow fire has forced the evacuation of the mountain communities of Alpine, Nutrioso, Blue River, Sunrise and Greer and several scattered subdivisions. The larger towns of Springerville and Eagar were in pre-evacuation mode Tuesday, along with Luna, N.M., across the state line. Residents were under orders to be ready to move in 12 to 24 hours, or quicker.

More than 2,000 firefighters are on the fire lines, but they have been unable to establish any containment. Fire management officials said that's because of the winds that come up every afternoon, gusting 30 to 40 mph or more. While 20 helicopters are assigned to the fire, their effectiveness has been limited by the winds.

The U.S. Forest Service said 10 structures have been lost in the fire and 343 others are "threatened."

Fire management officials said they expected another active fire day Tuesday, especially on the north and east flanks of the fire. Spot fires are occurring up to three miles ahead of the fire.

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