Wildfire in Arizona Scorches More than 200K acres

A CNN report told of crews battling one of the worst wildfires in Arizona history prepared Monday to hold a 30-mile line against the advancing blaze even as accelerating winds threatened to undo their efforts, officials said.

The “Wallow Fire,” as the blaze is known, has scorched 184,000 acres and has forced the evacuation of more than 2,200 people since the wildfire broke out May 29, officials said Monday morning. It is completely uncontained, officials said.

Officials ordered the immediate evacuation Sunday of residents in several eastern Arizona subdivisions and a ranch, including Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, Dog Patch and the H-V Ran
Forecasters said fire conditions could get much worse Monday as winds are expected to pick up as a low-pressure trough moves out of the state.

The National Weather Service has projected winds of up to 30 mph in eastern Arizona. The weather service has also placed the northern half of the state under a “red flag warning,” which means that weather conditions are ripe for wildfires.

Heavy smoke generated by the fire could be seen as far away as Albuquerque, New Mexico, where city officials warned residents to avoid outdoor activities and close windows and doors. Light ash has been reported coating the ground in several areas of the city, according to Albuquerque residents.

(아주경제 앤드류 이 기자)

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com