Wallow fire now biggest in state history

PHOENIX -- The Wallow fire in eastern Arizona has become the largest wildfire in state history Tuesday, growing to 469,407 acres.

The size released Tuesday morning made the Wallow worse than the Rodeo-Chedeski fire, which burned 468,638 acres in 2002.

Despite the growth, firefighters reported progress, with containment on the fire put at 18 percent, compared with 10 percent Monday night.

The Forest Service said windy conditions overnight resulted in increased fire activity and caused spot fires near Turner Peak and Big Lake Campground.

The fire has burned across the Arizona-New Mexico line and the major concern Tuesday was the small town of Luna, N.M. It is under a pre-evacuation order but has not been evacuated.

Meanwhile, the Horseshoe Two fire in the Coronado National Forest near Portal in southeastern Arizona has grown to 157,254 acres behind gusty winds. It is 53 percent contained. Mop-up operations were underway Tuesday around the Turkey Creek, Whitetail and Pinery Road areas which were evacuated last week.

The Monument Fire, which started in the Coronado Forest south of Sierra Vista on Sunday, had reached 3,700 acres Tuesday morning and burned across the border into Mexico. The fire was zero contained. Seventy-five homes were evacuated in the Ash Canyon area.