The Wallow Fire: A look back
- Updated
The Wallow Fire started on May 29, 2011 and burned through nearly 538,000 acres of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to become the largest wildfire in state history.
Freelance photographer Thomas Gaulke, of Germany, photographs smoke from the Wallow Fire near Springerville, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. The major wildfire in Arizona's eastern mountains burned out of control early Friday after charring more than 603 square miles of timber, destroying dozens of structures and keeping thousands of evacuees away from their homes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
- Jae C. Hong
Apache County Sheriff Joe Dedman, center, goes over a map of the Wallow Fire with fellow Apache County resident Dave Nez, at left, in Springervile, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. Apache County was among the communities affected by the fire. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Firefighter Craig Ogden of the Red Rock Interagency Crew looks on before going to fight the Wallow Fire in Luna, N.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas. (AP Photo/ The Arizona Republic, David Wallace)
- David Wallace
A firefighter protects a backburn to fight the Wallow Fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
A forest burns during a backburn operation to fight the Wallow Fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Smoke raises from the Wallow fire as it burns towards homes south of Eagar, Ariz. After reportedly being sparked by a campfire, the 525-square mile fire has become the second-largest wildfire in state history and is still growing. (Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic)
- Rob Schumacher
Smoke from the Wallow Fire rises over a neighborhood in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. A spot fire at the edge of the larger blaze prompted the few residents left in Springerville and the neighboring community of Eagar to flee. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Firefighters walk up a hillside as they fight the Wallow Fire in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. A spot fire at the edge of the larger blaze prompted the few residents left in Springerville and the neighboring community of Eagar to flee. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Danika Busenan hangs a sign for firefighters battling the Wallow fire outside a hospital in Springerville, Ariz., Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
- Jae C. Hong
In this Tuesday, June 7, 2011 photo, fire lights up a hillside south of State Route 260 Tuesday evening and building lights shine in the foreground. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico. (AP Photo/ The Arizona Republic, Pat Shannahan)
- Pat Shannahan/The Arizona Republic
From left, Cheyann Alba, her uncle Mark White and cousin Chelsea Soderberg evacuate with their family's horses as the Wallow Fire approaches in Eagar, Ariz., Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Wallow Fire enters the town of Greer, Ariz., on June 8, 2011.
- Photo courtesy Jason Coil
The Wallow Fire in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest burning out of control in June, 2011.
- Photo courtesy Jayson Coil
Smoke tinted orange by the sun billows from the Wallow Fire burning in the Bear Wallow Wilderness southwest of Alpine, Ariz., on Wednesday June 1, 2011.
- Greg Bryan/Arizona Daily Star
Flames engulf trees looking south from Forest Route 24 as the Wallow Fire burns in the Bear Wallow Wilderness southwest of Alpine, Ariz., on Wednesday June 1, 2011.
- Greg Bryan/Arizona Daily Star
Smoke tinted orange by the sun billows over Forest Service trucks at the intersection of FS 26 and FS 24 as the Wallow Fire burns in the Bear Wallow Wilderness southwest of Alpine, Ariz., on Wednesday June 1, 2011.
- Greg Bryan/Arizona Daily Star
Surprise Firefighter Tracy Wright mops up a hot spot near Greer on Saturday.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Surprise firefighters Wes Odom and Jimmy Niesen mop up hot spots near Greer on Saturday. Firefighters are trying to clean up as many hot spots as they can before the afternoon winds arrive.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Surprise Firefighters walk along side their engineer looking for hot spots near Greer on Saturday.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
A firefighter uses a drip torch to ignite dry brush in Nutrioso on Friday, June 10, 2011. Firefighters took advantage of the calm conditions to set back burn operations.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
A firefighter uses a drip torch to ignite dry brush near in Nutrioso on Friday, June 10, 2011. Firefighters took advantage of the calm conditions to set backburn operations.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Greer residents Michael Carter II, center, and his partner Kristi Spillman, left, listen intently during the community meeting at the evacuation center at Blue Ridge High School on Saturday.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Greer resident Don Driggs asks a question during the community meeting at the evacuation center at Blue Ridge High School on Saturday.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Firefighters use a chainsaw to clear brush and fuels in Nutrioso on Friday, June 10, 2011.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
A grove of burned trees stand like sticks along Highway 191 south of Alpine on Friday, June 10, 2011.
- Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star
Freelance photographer Thomas Gaulke, of Germany, photographs smoke from the Wallow Fire near Springerville, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. The major wildfire in Arizona's eastern mountains burned out of control early Friday after charring more than 603 square miles of timber, destroying dozens of structures and keeping thousands of evacuees away from their homes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
- Jae C. Hong
Firefighters fighting the Wallow Fire work on a backburn operation along the highway near Nutrioso, Ariz., on Friday, June 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
- Susan Montoya Bryan
Apache County Sheriff Joe Dedman, center, goes over a map of the Wallow Fire with fellow Apache County resident Dave Nez, at left, in Springervile, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. Apache County was among the communities affected by the fire. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Firefighter Craig Ogden of the Red Rock Interagency Crew looks on before going to fight the Wallow Fire in Luna, N.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas. (AP Photo/ The Arizona Republic, David Wallace)
- David Wallace
A firefighter protects a backburn to fight the Wallow Fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
A forest burns during a backburn operation to fight the Wallow Fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., Friday, June 10, 2011. A massive wildfire in eastern Arizona that has claimed more than 30 homes and forced nearly than 10,000 people to evacuate is likely to spread into New Mexico soon, threatening more towns and possibly endangering two major power lines that bring electricity from Arizona to West Texas.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Firefighters line up for a meal as smoke from the Wallow Fire fills the sky at an incident command center in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Smoke raises from the Wallow fire as it burns towards homes south of Eagar, Ariz. After reportedly being sparked by a campfire, the 525-square mile fire has become the second-largest wildfire in state history and is still growing. (Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic)
- Rob Schumacher
The Navajo Hotshots, out of Fort Defiance, Ariz., prepare to leave for the firelines to fight the Wallow Fire at an incident command center in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Smoke from the Wallow Fire rises over a neighborhood in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. A spot fire at the edge of the larger blaze prompted the few residents left in Springerville and the neighboring community of Eagar to flee. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Firefighters walk up a hillside as they fight the Wallow Fire in Eagar, Ariz., Thursday, June 9, 2011. A spot fire at the edge of the larger blaze prompted the few residents left in Springerville and the neighboring community of Eagar to flee. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Danika Busenan hangs a sign for firefighters battling the Wallow fire outside a hospital in Springerville, Ariz., Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
- Jae C. Hong
The Wallow Fire consumes trees in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on June 1, 2011. Courtesy Apache-Sitgreaves NF
- Submitted Photo
In this Tuesday, June 7, 2011 photo, fire lights up a hillside south of State Route 260 Tuesday evening and building lights shine in the foreground. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico. (AP Photo/ The Arizona Republic, Pat Shannahan)
- Pat Shannahan/The Arizona Republic
From left, Cheyann Alba, her uncle Mark White and cousin Chelsea Soderberg evacuate with their family's horses as the Wallow Fire approaches in Eagar, Ariz., Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A raging forest fire in eastern Arizona has scorched an area the size of Phoenix, threatening thousands of residents and emptying towns as the flames raced toward New Mexico.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
- Marcio Jose Sanchez
Fire crew trucks along Forest Route 24 are dwarfed by large plumes of smoke from the Wallow Fire burning in the Bear Wallow Wilderness southwest of Alpine, Ariz., on Wednesday June 1, 2011.
- Greg Bryan/Arizona Daily Star
As featured on
The Wallow Fire has grown to an incredible 40,509 acres since it was first reported Sunday.
The fire forecast for this month is continued hot, smoky, dangerous and expensive, with a go…
Residents at the eastern edge of Arizona's White Mountains were ordered to evacuate their ho…
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