Wildfire Now Arizona's 2nd-Biggest Ever

Wallow Fire is more than twice the size of Chicago
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 8, 2011 6:30 AM CDT
Wildfire Now Arizona's 2nd-Biggest Ever
A firefighters keeps a lookout on the roof of a house as the Wallow fire approaches in Eagar, Ariz., Tuesday, June 7, 2011.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

This is not the sort of record Arizona was looking for: The wildfire blazing its way through the Grand Canyon State is now officially the second-largest in its history, having burned 389,000 acres. The "Wallow Fire" is now more than twice the size of Chicago, and second only to a 2002 blaze that burned 468,638 acres, reports CNN. And the fire, which was sparked May 29 by what authorities believe was an unattended campfire, will continue to spread unless the humidity increases and the high winds peter out. It is still at 0% containment, and has cost $8 million to fight thus far, notes the AP. (More Arizona wildfires stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X