Partial evacuation of southwestern US town under way as massive wildfire nears

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jN_aNBiTE3cD1khUCcdVXm4wZzRQ?docId=7080848

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. — About 2,000 residents of the eastern Arizona town of Eagar were ordered to evacuate Tuesday as flames from a raging forest fire appeared on ridges surrounding the town and neighbouring Springerville. More evacuations were likely.

Firefighters had spent the day working feverishly to prepare a defence for the two towns as residents — told earlier that an evacuation order was likely — prepared to leave.

Sheriffs issued the order just before 4 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies and police officers from the communities were in the streets directing traffic as people started to stream out of Eagar. Flames have been spotted on a ridge on the southeastern side of Springerville and columns of orange smoke were rising from the hills.

Eagar has about 4,000 residents, while Springerville has another 2,000. In all, about 7,000 people were ordered to prepare for evacuation in recent days.




sending positive vibes to the folks out there.