[Printer Friendly Version]   [How to E-mail This Article to A Friend]

WEEKLY NEWS 4: Wildfires Sweep Arizona

In the southeast corner of Arizona, two wildfires are burning close to cabins, homes, and an observatory that holds the $120 million Large Binocular Telescope--one of the most powerful optical telescopes in the world.

On Sunday, one of the fires grew to 6,179 acres along the mountainous terrain of the region. It came less than a mile southeast of the Mount Graham International Observatory, which is estimated to be worth more than $200 million. "It's threatened, but I think it's defendable," said Duane Archuleta, an operations chief for the fire management team.

That wildfire, which was ignited by lightning, as well as a nearby 6,130 acre fire, resulted in evacuation of the observatory and about 85 cabins on the mountain on Friday. The flames were about three miles from the Turkey Flat and Columbine communities on Sunday.

About 1,000 firefighters, 10 helicopters, 12 bulldozers and two C-130 tanks were coming to the aid and fighting fires. So far, only one firefighter has been hospitalized and is being treated for heat exhaustion.

Paul Summerfelt, a deputy incident commander, said that the fires were a few miles apart and were expected to join in the next couple of days.

Fire management teams hope to have the fires fully contained by July 27, and also hope to keep them from burning beyond a combined 50,000 acres.

Fire elsewhere in the state posed a threat to the city of Payson, which is about 70 miles northeast of Phoenix. However, this threat was lessened after crews strengthened protection lines to keep the 79,500-acre fire away from the nearby forest community, officials said on Sunday. This fire was started on June 24 and has been contained by 10 percent. About two miles from the city of Payson a fire break has been established. (contributing: newsday.com)

--Written by Anna Ferguson

Write your own story telling us what you think about this article!

Read WEEKLY NEWS 1: Seal Finds His Way Home