WALLOW FIRE: 408,867 Acres Destroyed, 6% Containment, 2700 residence in danger, 64 structures destroyed, power lines in danger of blowing up

WALLOW FIRE FACTS AS OF FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011!

Date Started: 5/29/2011
Number of Personnel: Approximately 4,422
Including 26 hotshot crews and 76 hand crews
Equipment: 28 dozers, 263 engines, 69 watertenders
Size: 408,887ac based on last night's infrared data
Aircraft: 15helicopters
Percent Contained: 6%
Injuries to Date: 3
Residences: 2714 threatened; 29 destroyed 5 damaged
Structures: 35 destroyed
Other: 1 truck destroyed
Cause: Human - under investigation

By Randy Economy

www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com

Friday, May 10, 2011

9:14 p.m.

Arizona, USA

The Wallow Fire is still a massive monster beyond beyond comprehension. Tonight members of the Arizona Emergency Management Authority are reporting that more than 400,000 acres have been destroyed already, and it is only 6% contained.

On Friday, the main focus was on burnout operations, structure protection, patrolling for spot fires, and mop up.  Now it appears that the fire is burning dangerously close to the major power lines that provide much of the electricity for much of the Southwest United States.

Firefighters did get a break in the 100 plus degree heat.  One hundred seventy law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions are working with the incident to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well, as protection of property during evacuations. 
 Here are the UP TO THE MINUTE Evacuation INFORMATION!

·         Full evacuation of Eager and Springerville. The evacuations were ordered by the Apache County Sheriff's Office on June 8 around 4:00 p.m.

·         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 County Road (CR) 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225.

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

Pre-Evacuation Alert

·         A pre-evacuation alert has been issued by Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and the surrounding areas.

·         A pre-evacuation alert has been 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 should contact the Apache County Sheriff's Office (928) 337-4321 or the Greenlee County Sheriff's Office (928) 865-4149.

Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov

· State Route 373, a 4.5 mile-long highway that connects the town of Greer in eastern Arizona with SR 260 west of Eagar, is closed.

· US 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (mileposts 176-253).

· State Routes 261 and 273, the main access roads to Big Lake and Crescent Lake in the White Mountains, are closed. SR 261 is closed starting approximately seven miles south of SR 260 to Crescent Lake (mileposts 395-413) and SR 273 is closed between the SR 260 junction and to the SR 261 junction (mileposts 378-394).

· US 180 is closed between the SR 260 junction near Eagar and the New Mexico
state line (mileposts 403-433).

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

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.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.

Public Information

Public information will continue to be available by Twitter, Flicker, http://www.inciweb.org/, regular email updates as well as by phone at (928) 333-3412, (702) 308-3238, (702) 308-3357, or 702) 308-8227. Information will also be available at the evacuation center located at Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop/Lake Side. A community meeting was held at the Blue Ridge High School and was recorded by City 4 TV. Interested parties can view the recording at http://www.showlowtv.com/.

Safety Message

The wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke.  Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates.  Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.