Officials: Wallow Fire could top 550,000 acres

ALPINE, AZ - The massive Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona has climbed to nearly 444,000 acres, officials said Sunday morning.

Numbers also show the fire is now 10 percent contained.

Burnout operations and holding operations continued along Highway 273 near Greer and officials say the DC-10 completed two successful drops on the west flank near Greer.

Officials also said the spread of the fire into New Mexico was due to burnout operations toward Luna, New Mexico.

The biggest fire in Arizona history was the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned nearly 470,000 acres in 2002.

The Wallow Fire could top 550,000 acres before it's done because crews may have to burn another 150,000 acres to contain the blaze, according to fire official Jim Whittington.

Wallow Fire spokesman Jerome MacDonald said at Saturday's 9 p.m. media briefing, crews feel good about the fire lines, especially in Nutrioso.

"It's been chasing us around but today we feel very optimistic," McDonald said. He said there were no spot fires Saturday.

An increase in winds and low humidity were expected to play major factors in fighting the fire through the weekend.

Saturday night's activities include structure protection, continued burnout and mop-up operations to strengthen containment lines, and patrol for spot fires.

McDonald said there would be the same staffing level in Greer for the next two days.

Here are the latest facts about the size of the blaze and fight against it:

Date Started: 5/29/2011

Number of Personnel: Approximately 3,208

Location: South and west of Alpine, Arizona

Cause: Human - under investigation

Equipment: 20 hotshot crews and 45 hand crews

Size: 443,989 acres based on Sunday morning's infrared data

Percent Contained: 10%

Injuries to Date: 7

Residences: 2,714 threatened; 29 destroyed, 5 damaged

Commercial: 473 threatened, 4 destroyed

Outbuildings: 34 destroyed, 1 damaged

Other: 1 truck destroyed

The Blue Ridge evacuation center phone number is 602-336-6660.

Evacuees of Eagar and Springerville may pick up their mail at Whipple Ranch Elementary School, 1350 N. Central Avenue, in Show Low, AZ, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Public Safety
According to the State of Arizona, air quality in the Springer-Eager area is currently considered extremely hazardous. Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates. Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

Community Meetings Sunday
--Evacuee Meeting, 10 am at the Red Cross Shelter, Blue Ridge High School, 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd, Pinetop/Lakeside

--Show Low Area, 6 am at Blue Ridge High School auditorium

Current Evacuations

Full evacuation of Eagar and Springerville continues due to fire activity and health risks associated with air quality.

Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, and the following subdivisions along highways 180/191: Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mtn. Acres, and the H-V Ranch. This area includes County Road (CR) 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225.

There have been no new evacuations in New Mexico.

Pre-Evacuation Alert
A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and the surrounding areas.

A pre-evacuation alert continues for Catron County Sheriff's Office for Luna, New Mexico.

Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared to evacuate should an order be issued.

Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation
State Route 373, a 4.5 mile-long highway that connects the town of Greer in eastern Arizona with SR 260 west of Eagar, is closed.

US 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (mileposts 176-253).

State Routes 261 and 273, the main access roads to Big Lake and Crescent Lake in the White
Mountains, are closed.

US 60 is closed from Springerville to the New Mexico state line.

SR 260 is closed east of the Hawley Lake turn to Springerville and Eagar.

US 180 is closed between the SR 260 junction near Eagar and the New Mexico state line (mileposts 403-433).

Closures
Due to extreme fire conditions, the Apache National Forest is closed to all public entry. See website for closure order details. See the Forest website for more information .

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Fire Restrictions
A temporary emergency closure order was issued effective June 3 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). For more information, please call the Arizona fire restrictions hotline 1-877-864-6985 or visit here .

Public Information
Public information will continue to be available by Twitter, Flicker, Inciweb.org , regular email updates as well as by phone at (928) 333-3412, (702) 308-3238, (702) 308-3357, or 702) 308-8227. Information will also be available at the evacuation center located at Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop/Lake Side.