Wallow Wildfire
A man walks past a sign alerting residents of the fire danger from the Wallow Wildfire in Springerville, Arizona June 7, 2011. The wildfire that has charred more than 350 square miles (906 sq km) in eastern Arizona forced the evacuation of Springerville and Eagar on Tuesday as the fire crept near populated areas along the New Mexico border as it raged out of control for a tenth day. The so-called Wallow Fire, burning about 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Phoenix and stretching to near the Arizona-New Mexico border, ranks as the third-largest fire on record in Arizona. REUTERS

About 2,000 residents of Eagar, in eastern Arizona, were ordered to evacuate Tuesday as flames approached the town in the afternoon, while another Arizona town, Springerville, has ordered 2,000 residents to prepare for evacuation.

The fire also burned 6 buildings and threatens to burn 65 others, but n serious injuries have been reported. The Wallow Fire has now scorched over 300,000 acres in eastern Arizona, making it the second largest wildfire in the state’s history.

Arizona’s largest fire is called the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire that occurred in 2002 and burned 467,000 acres.

The National Weather Service has issued a 'Red Flag Warning' for southeastern Arizona, most of New Mexico, as well as parts of northern Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma as amid critical fire weather conditions.

Authorities believe the fire was started on May 29 by an unattended camp fire. After the fire became out of control, strong winds fanned it. So far, firefighters are having trouble battling the flames and do not have the fire contained.

Azcenral.com reports that there are “900 personnel are combating the flames, with seven helicopters, 31 engines and three bulldozers assisting.”

Mexico Mexico Arizona Arizona