Wallow Fire

Churches and individual Christians have been aiding relief efforts to those affected by the Arizona wildfires this week, with one parishioner eye witness observing, "that’s beautiful faith.”

Residents of Sierra Vista were given an evacuation order Sunday as fire crews battled to halt the fire’s march towards the town. Local churches are taking donations for fire victims, and according to KGUN-TV Tuscan bishop Gerald Kicanas said: “We pray for an end to the fire, we pray for the safety of our firefighters and we pray that the monsoon rains will come and free us from these terrible fires that have been so devastating.”

Parishioner Tom Felix also reported that seeing the community's spirit and support overwhelmed him. He told KGUN-TV: “Coming here ... and just seeing everybody, my goodness that's beautiful faith.” more >>

The head of the U.S. forest service has said that the conditions fire crews are battling against in Arizona are “as bad as we can get.”

The Monument wildfires in Arizona have now been deemed the “number one priority” for firefighters across the U.S., as the combined conditions of low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds have fueled the fires to a devastating degree.

Tom Tidwell, head of the U.S. Forest Service, has said, “It just can’t get any worse.” more >>

Christians throughout Arizona have launched disaster relief efforts to aid victims of the Wallow Fire, which broke the record as the largest wildfire in the history of the state.

The Wallow Fire has scorched over 478,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. For two weeks, homeowners had to live in camps, trailers or stay with relatives.

The Arizona Southern Baptist Convention in Scottsdale deployed shower trailer units last week to support about 130 evacuees staying at a shelter in Lakeside, according to Baptist Press. The group also has kitchen crews on standby. more >>

After being forced to evacuate their homes because of the Arizona Wallow Fire nearly two weeks ago, residents of Nutrioso that were evacuated because of the wildfire will be allowed to return home Wednesday morning.

Officials made the announcement at a community meeting late Tuesday night. Residents were warned they will see smoke and possibly active flames and crews at work in the area to contain the Wallow Fire, the largest wildfire in Arizona history.

"We will be allowing residents only, property owners only of Nutrioso to start returning home," said Chief Deputy Brannon Eagar of the Apache County Sheriff's Office. more >>

Two people are being questioned about the abandoned campfire that authorities believe started the devastating Arizona Wallow Fire, a spokesman said Tuesday evening.

The Arizona Wallow Fire became the largest in the state’s history on Tuesday having burned through 469,000 acres of woodland, and causing nearly 10,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Spokesman for the multiple agencies battling the fire Kelly Wood reported that investigations are now centered on two people, who were being questioned about the campfire that could have ignited the huge Wallow Fire. The identities of the two being questioned have not been released. more >>

The massive Wallow Fire, which has continued to burn throughout much of eastern Arizona for over two weeks now, set a record on Tuesday as the largest fire in state history.

Started from what authorities believe to be an unattended campfire on May 29th, the fire has burned over 469,000 acres and caused nearly 10,000 people to evacuate their homes, according to Reuters.

The roaring flames were within a mile of a neighboring New Mexico mountain burg in Luna – less than 10 miles east of the Arizona border – putting an estimated 200 residents on alert for possible evacuation. more >>