Sunday, June 27, 2010

Just Over the Border: Arizona Campfire Goes Out of Control

No time to be roasting marshmallows!

"Calif. man facing charge of starting wildfire in Arizona" by Associated Press | June 21, 2010

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A California man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of leaving behind hot coals at a campsite just outside Flagstaff, sparking a wildfire that forced the evacuation of 170 homes and a hotel near downtown, a city spokeswoman said....

They always need a scapegoat for things like this.

No one ever gets tagged for mass-murdering wars based on lies or the destruction of the economic system, though.


Fire officials said a second wildfire forced evacuations in neighborhoods north of Flagstaff yesterday....

Are they charging him with that one, too?

--more--"

"Ariz. crews work to save homes from wildfire" by Associated Press | June 22, 2010

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Fire crews battling a wildfire northeast of Flagstaff that quickly grew to more than 13 square miles were working yesterday to protect homes in the fire’s path.

Residents of several hundred homes remained under evacuation orders as the blaze moved within 500 yards of some of those homes, said Eric Neitzel, fire spokesman.

Firefighters worked feverishly overnight Sunday to build a containment line between forest land and the communities. They also were digging trenches, clearing out dry brush from around homes, and spraying houses down in hopes they will be spared, Neitzel said.

Sunday’s combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds quickly pushed the fire, sending rolling clouds of black and gray smoke into what had been a clear blue sky. No structures have burned in the blaze, which was estimated at 8,849 acres early yesterday, with zero containment.

The fire also was abutting US 89, a key route to Grand Canyon National Park, and officials remained concerned that high winds could cause the fire to leap across the roadway.

Eight air tankers have been aiding ground crews to suppress the blaze, but winds determine whether those air resources can go up.

A federal management team took over direction of the firefighting effort yesterday, a move that will expand access to resources.

Yeah, the feds will save us all.

--more--"