Wildfire In Flagstaff Leads To Evacuations

June 20th, 2010 - 7:21 pm ICT by GD  

By Ranjan Bhaduri
698751Flagstaff, June 20, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Flagstaff on Saturday witnessed a wildfire which led to the evacuation of nearby houses and the Little America Hotel which was in close proximity of the fire line, approaching towards the building. Following that the traffic on Interstate 40 came to a stop as the smoke spread through different parts of the city.

The wildfire was reported in the afternoon. The fire engulfed a wide stretch of area about 600 acres and kept moving uphill which made the local authorities issue orders to evacuate a total of 200 homes in the region. However the evacuation was put on hold owing to the smoke and the traffic in Interstate 40.

American Red Cross spokeswoman Kelli Young told the media that over 16 families have been moved to a temporary shelter at a middle school. Not only the people but some of the animals belonging to the Coconino Humane Society were also moved to a safe shelter in the northern part of the town.

The fire fighters on the ground were helped by the air tankers and the helicopters as they tried to bring the fie under control from above. It was said that the flames which had reached a height of 10 feet has been made to drop at 3 feet where the ground crew can take care of it. Flagstaff Fire Capt.

Mark Johnson told the media that they hope to bring the fire under control by Sunday. Authorities are still trying to figure out the source for the wildfire. Gerry Blair, Coconino County sheriff said that still now they don’t suspect anyone.

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