Wallow Fire Now Arizona’s 2nd Largest, and Growing

Arizona’s Wallow Fire became the state’s 2nd largest ever, as forecast

FIRE-EARTH yesterday forecast the mega blaze in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (eastern Arizona) would grow by about 40 percent to 326,000 acres.

By 3:00pm local time on June 7 Wallow Fire had grown to 311,322 acres and was still raging uncontrolled.

FIRE-EARTH forecast: Wallow Fire could become Arizona’s largest ever recorded wildfire with a probability of ≥0.6 [P= 62% estimated at the time of posting on June 8, 2011 UTC]

Wallow Fire Progression History May 31 – June 7, 2011. Data: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Format: FIRE-EARTH

Wallow Fire Map for June 7, 2011. Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. For other sizes and copyright info click on links below:

• Large (666 x 1024)
• Original (3205 x 4930)

Fires and Smoke Satellite Analysis: North America

Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product: Current HMS Analysis. Click to enlarge.

Source: NOAA. Click images to enlarge.

Photo taken by Wayne Clement, Guadalupe Fire Department, off Hwy180/US191 near Nutrioso, AZ. Credit: US Forest Service, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Temp Forecast Map

Source: NWS. Click image to enlarge.

Fire Details

• About 5,800 residents in Eagar and other communities were forced to leave as flames got too close to the population centers. The remaining residents in Eagar and in neighboring Springerville are on standby to evacuate at short notice.
• Some 7,500 people have been ordered to prepare for evacuation since last week.
• Having consumed nearly 500 square miles of ponderosa pine forest since May 29, the Wallow Fire became the second-largest in Arizona history Tuesday afternoon.
• The blaze has also consumed a dozen structures, with another 343 threatened.
• As of 11:39UTC, June 8, the fire had grown to more than 400,000 acres according to an update received by FIRE-EARTH.
• Wallow Fire is now threatening New Mexico territory.
• The blaze is rapidly approaching a major power line located in Springerville, Arizona, which supplies electricity to large  parts of the borderland, the El Paso Electric company said.

Current Evacuations [IncidentWeb]

Effective Immediately: Further evacuations have been ordered by the Apache County Sheriff’s Office for all the areas south of Hwy 260 and east of Greer, including South Fork and portions of Eagar. Hwy 260 will remain open for the evacuation and will be closed immediately after the evacuation.

Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, and the following subdivisions along highways 180/191: Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mtn. Acres, and the H-V Ranch. This area includes CR 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225

The evacuation site is located at; Blue Ridge High School located at 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop/Lakeside

Pre-Evacuation Alert

• Pre-evacuation alert issued by Apache County Sheriff’s Office for Springerville.

• Pre-evacuation alert issued by Catron County Sheriff’s Office for Luna, New Mexico.

• Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared in the event an order is needed.

Residents with livestock or animals that need care, please contact the Apache County Sheriff’s Office (928) 337-4321or the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office (928) 865-4149.

Fire Update

Today, we continue to experience extreme fire behavior due to the forecast high winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area. Firefighters are conducting burn out operations today as part of the strategy to build fire line for protection. Spot fires are occurring up to 3 miles ahead of the fire. Firefighter activities include: burnout operations, building fire line, perimeter control, structure protection, and patrolling for spot fires.

Closures:

Due to extreme fire conditions, the Apache National Forest is closed to all public entry. See website for closure order details. Please see the Forest website for more information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Fire Restrictions: A Temporary Emergency Closure Order for the Apache National Forest was issued effective June 3 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). For more information, please call the Arizona fire restrictions hotline 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://www.wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Related Links

• Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June 4

Update at 12:00UTC on June 8, 2011