Eastern Arizonans choking on smoke from wildfires

GLOBE, AZ - People around the city of Globe are literally choking on all of the smoke in the air.

The flames of the Frio Fire can be seen for miles around, but for Chrystie Owens and the thousands of other people in the area, it's the smoke that's the scariest and most damaging.

The forest fire has burned for weeks. As the U.S. Forest Service stands by and watches where it's going, the resident are getting sick from breathing in the dirty air for so long.

"I've had several family members very sick with upper respiratory stuff in their lungs now,” Owens said. “There is a lot of coughing. People with asthma are having trouble breathing."

"They should definitely stay indoors during the smokiest of times out there," U.S. Forest Service Information Officer David Albo said.

So why has the Forest Service not even tried to put out the fire yet?

"The fire basically is taking its natural role in the eco system,” Albo said of the Frio Fire. "It is reducing hazardous fuel loads that are out there in the forest, in turn, that really benefits us in the fact that it prevents future, more catastrophic wildfires that may start up when fire condition are much more severe than they are right now."

Preventing another Wallow Fire is the goal for the Forest Service. The bad part for everyone around the fire is that they are stuck with the lousy air quality.

"It is a trade off," Albo said.

Owens and other residents do not think it’s fair.

"If it comes between a future fire that may or may not happen, and the health of the people, I think the people should take precedent," she said.

The U.S. Forest Service says they have no plans on slowing the progression of any of the wildfires in the area. For those with breathing troubles outside, doctors are recommending they stay indoors as much as possible, and use a face mask while outdoors as the fire continues to burn.

Forest officials say the Frio Fire was started by a lightning strike.