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US firefighters battle blazes
22/06/2006 14:57 - (SA)
Arizona - A 1 050-hectare fire approached a popular state park in northern Arizona on Thursday, while Colorado's governor banned open burning and fireworks as a wildfire there grew to nearly 4 850 hectares.
Hundreds of firefighters struggled on Wednesday to prevent flames from jumping a highway in Arizona's scenic Oak Creek Canyon and threatening an area of evacuated homes and resorts. The blaze was only seven percent contained in the steep, rugged terrain.
Flames had neared the two-lane highway that runs through the middle of the canyon, but crews were able to burn away fuel in its path, officials said. The fire also approached the area of Slide Rock State Park, a popular recreation spot that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.
The blaze started on Sunday in a camp used by transients and spread quickly, forcing the evacuation of about 460 homes and businesses in the canyon more than 145km north of Phoenix.
The Forest Service is offering a reward up to $5 000 for information leading to a conviction of those responsible for the fire.
Colorado blaze
In southern Colorado, a wildfire grew as Governor Bill Owens banned open burning and fireworks on state-owned land - and urged local officials to do the same.
Thunderstorms ignited several fires across the state.
No homes were destroyed by the blaze, but about 300 were evacuated as helicopters dropped water on smouldering ground within two miles of a rural subdivision east of Fort Garland.
- AP
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