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Title: Huge AZ Wildfire Spreads, Health Conditions Worsen
Source:
Associated Press
URL Source: http://picayuneitem.com/statenews/x ... reads-health-conditions-worsen
Published: Jun 11, 2011
Author: Associated Press
Post Date: 2011-06-11 19:59:10 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 654
Comments: 4
SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. — An eye-stinging haze of smoke spewing from a gigantic wildfire in eastern Arizona added a potentially serious public health threat to the conflagration on Saturday as firefighters moved to counter spot fires erupting across the state line in New Mexico. The 640-square-mile blaze remained largely uncontained and firefighters worried that a predicted return of gusty southwesterly winds in the afternoon would cause it to grow even larger. “We expect the winds to be testing a lot of our lines out there,” fire spokeswoman Karen Takai said. The fire began spotting across the state line Friday night and 150 additional firefighters and several fire engines were sent to bolster forces already waiting in New Mexico, officials said. Concern about hazardous levels of air pollution spread beyond northeastern Arizona. Winds were expected to carry the plume across western and central New Mexico to the Albuquerque and Santa Fe metropolitan areas, the National Weather Service said. Dense smoke was predicted in a half-dozen small communities. “The amount of particulate matter, smoke in the air, is a big issue,” Takai said. Concern was greatest for the elderly, young children and people with respiratory illnesses. “Go visit your doctors, see what they say you should do,” Takai advised the public. Guarding the mountain town of Greer, firefighter Matt Howell, 28, described the difficulty of working in such conditions. “You get in there and it’s hard to breathe,” he said. “You start coughing, can’t get that good nice breath of air.” More than 30 homes have been destroyed since the fire began, thousands of residents have fled communities and the blaze posed a potential danger to two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas. Lighter winds Thursday and Friday helped the 4,400 firefighters make progress, but critical fire conditions remain. Fire crews plan to try to strengthen what lines they’ve been able to establish and continue burning out forested areas in front of the main fire to try to stop its advance. Containment was estimated at just 6 percent, on the northeastern edge. The advances came on the fire’s north side, near the working-class towns of Springerville and Eagar on the edge of the forest. Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated from the two towns and from several mountain communities in the forest. On Friday, fire officials gave reporters the first look at two of the mountain communities — Alpine and Nutrioso — in nearly two weeks, driving them through the deserted resort towns and surrounding areas. Some stands of trees in the forest were untouched while others looked like blackened matchsticks sticking up through lingering smoke. Firefighters were working in the area, using drip torches to light fires and burn out undergrowth. Deer and elk grazed in unscorched areas, while wild turkeys walked through tall grass along the road. Two miles south of Alpine, whole hillsides of ponderosa were decimated. The two Arizona-Texas power lines were still in the fire’s path. El Paso Electric has warned its 372,000 customers that they may see rolling blackouts if the lines are cut. The fire is the second-largest in state history and could eclipse the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire in size, although only a fraction of the homes have burned. The Chediski began as a signal fire and merged with the Rodeo, which was intentionally set by a firefighter who needed work. Together they burned 732 square miles (1,895 sq. kilometers) and destroyed 491 buildings. The current Wallow Fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has destroyed 31 homes or cabins, including 22 in the picturesque mountain community of Greer, fire spokesman Jim Whittington said. Two dozen outbuildings and a truck also were lost and five homes damaged in Greer when the fire moved in Wednesday night. Firefighters are battling another major wildfire in far southeastern Arizona, also near the New Mexico line. The so-called Horseshoe Two blaze burned through 211 square miles or 135,000 acres of brush and timber since it started in early May. The fire has destroyed 23 structures but caused no serious injuries. It was 45 percent contained late Friday and fire officials hope to have it fully contained by late June.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
Women and minorities hardest hit.
war has to do something for entertainment. The voices in his head aren't speaking to him and his imaginary friends have found reasons not to come over anymore.
Illegal alien guest workers, starting the fires Americans won't.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
It's Obama's fault!!! My prediction is that Monday we see an arti9cle so blaming...
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that. Any property abandoned by owners will be squatted upon if they do not return.
Huge AZ Wildfire Spreads, Health Conditions Worsen
#2. To: Brian S, *Border Invasion* (#0)
Border Patrol jumped a group of 12 marijuana backpackers who intentionally set the mountains on fire to effect their escape. Allegedly, between two and three of the illegal alien marijuana backpackers were apprehended and admitted setting the fire. Also, one of these arsonists is reported to be on life support at a local American hospital.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#3. To: Brian S, go65, Goodwinson (#0)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#4. To: hondo68 (#2)
Illegal alien guest workers, starting the fires Americans won't.
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