Arizona FIRES Force Evacuations

updated 6/3/2011 4:52:36 AM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. — Wildfires burning through tinder-dry brush and timber lands in Arizona forced dozens of evacuations in three small communities, authorities said.

The evacuation order for Paradise and East Whitetail Canyon in southeastern Arizona went out Thursday night as strong winds pushed the so called Horseshoe Two fire toward the towns, the Cochise County Sheriff's office said.

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The nearby Chiricahua National Monument was closed as a precaution.

Earlier in the day, people living in or staying in Alpine in eastern Arizona were ordered to evacuate by evening. A shelter was set up at Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop-Lakeside.

There was no exact figure on the number of evacuees. Alpine is home to about 250 people, though not all live there year-round.

The Alpine blaze, known as the Wallow fire, has burned 63 square miles (40,500 acres) of forest land and is being fanned by strong winds. It's at zero containment, fire officials said.

The Horseshoe Two fire has been burning for days and has charred about 135 square miles (86,000 acres) of brush and timber. Officials said it had been 75 percent contained until the winds picked up, dropping containment down to 50 percent.

Arizona fires force evacuations in 3 communities - US news - msnbc.com: "Arizona fires force evacuations in 3 communities"
http://www.kpho.com/wildfires/index.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43262819/ns/us_news/t/arizona-fires-force-evacuations-communities

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