US wildfire largest in Arizona state history; 2 'persons of interest' questioned

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US wildfire largest in Arizona state history; 2 'persons of interest' questioned

By Bob Christie, Montoya , The Associated Press | The Canadian Press –

56 minutes ago

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. - A single campfire likely sparked what is now the largest

wildfire in Arizona history, and authoritifes said Wednesday they've questioned

two " persons of interest " as the massive wildfire and two others threaten

separate corners of New Mexico.

Investigators declined to call the two people suspects or speculate whether they

will face charges or be found liable to pay restitution.

Area residents had mixed feelings about how hard officials should go after those

responsible.

" It's done, " said Schmidlin, 61, who was evacuated from his home for two

weeks. " There's not a lot you can do about it. " He said prosecuting those

responsible would just add to the fire's cost.

Fires have devoured hundreds of square miles (sq. kilometres) in the

drought-stricken Southwest since wildfire season began several weeks ago. The

outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center calls for above-normal fire

potential in those areas through September.

In New Mexico, the tourism secretary said the state had been hoping for a modest

rebound in tourism this summer. But with fires burning near three of the state's

four borders, she's trying to stay optimistic and reassure people that New

Mexico is open for business.

The fire burning in eastern Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

continued its cross-border threat to Luna, New Mexico, as it grew to 478,452

acres (193,625 hectares) of forest, or nearly 750 square miles (1,943 sq.

kilometres), fire command team spokesman Alan Barbian said.

Of that, 4,911 acres (1,987 hectares) were in New Mexico and 473,541 acres

(191,639 hectares) in Arizona, making it the largest fire in Arizona history,

although nowhere near the most damaging to homes.

The blaze has forced nearly 10,000 people to evacuate in several small mountain

communities and two larger towns on the forest's edge. It has burned 32 homes

and four rental cabins.

Arizona's largest fire previously was the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire, which burned

732 square miles (1.895 sq. kilometres) and destroyed 491 buildings.

About 2,700 people who live in several Arizona resort communities in the forest

remained evacuated. Nutrioso residents began trickling home midmorning

Wednesday, and fire officials said evacuation orders for the picturesque hamlets

of Alpine and Greer might be lifted in several days.

Greer lost more than 20 homes and a couple dozen outbuildings as flames moved

into the valley last week.

Forest supervisor Knopp said a campfire in the Bear Wallow wilderness was

the " most likely cause " of the eastern Arizona fire. He confirmed investigators

had questioned two people, but he declined to say any more about the

investigation.

When forest officials were first called to the fire May 29, they spotted a fire

near a campfire, Knopp said. They also saw a separate fire about three miles (5

kilometres) away, but they were unsure if it was sparked by the campfire, he

said.

Toby Dahl was evacuated from Escudilla, New Mexico near the Arizona border and

spent six days in a temporary recreational vehicle park more than 60 miles (95

kilometres) away. He said fire restrictions should have been in place, despite

the recent snow.

" I don't have a degree or anything but I can tell you, just don't let anybody

into the forest under these circumstances, " he said.

Just across the state line, evacuation plans remained in place for the roughly

200 residents of Luna, New Mexico. Crews have worked to protect the town for

days, cutting brush and trees and setting small fires to burn anything that

approaching flames could use as fuel.

The fire, which started Sunday, has blackened about half the forested acres at

Sugarite Canyon State Park and shut down a 20-mile (32-kilometre) stretch of

Interstate 25, from Raton to Trinidad, Colo. The park and interstate remain

closed.

In southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park has been closed by fire

this week but reopened for the Wednesday evening bat flight. Park officials

planned to resume normal hours Thursday.

The fire burning around the park has charred more than 47 square miles (122 sq.

kilometres).

Forecasts through the weekend called for stronger winds, little humidity and

above-normal temperatures, or what fire officials and meteorologists refer to as

critical fire weather.

New Mexico tourism officials were keeping a close eye on the fire danger heading

into the Fourth of July holiday.

___

reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico Associated Press writer Jeri

Clausing in Albuquerque contributed to this report.