Two more AZ towns evacuated as Wallow fire spreads
The wildfire currently burning its way across much of eastern central Arizona has forced the evacuation of two more towns in Arizona, and a New Mexico town has been warned that the fire appears to be headed their way, said a report.
The Wall Street Journal reported 6,000 residents have already been evacuated from their homes near the Apache National Forest, and the local American Red Cross chapter said they expect more in the coming days. It's not yet clear how much monetary loss the fire - which is still considered zero percent contained - has caused in terms of homeowners insurance claims. However, the Wallow fire is now the second-largest in Arizona history, having burned through 389,000 acres, with more than 2,100 firefighters battling a blaze that's fed by high winds and dry weather, said the report.
Officials told the paper the fire also threatens the air quality of nearby towns. Smoke has carried into Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and portions of Nebraska, said the report.
It's not the only fire Arizona officials are currently battling. The Horseshoe Two fire has burned more than 106,000 acres while the Murphy fire has charred 67,000 acres. The former blaze is 40 percent contained while the latter is at 75 percent.
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