Operations & Training

Wildfire in East Arizona Doubles in Size

June 9, 2003

A wildfire in a national forest in eastern Arizona has burned 1,900 acres in steep and rocky terrain that has made the blaze difficult to contain.

ALPINE, Ariz. (AP) -- A wildfire in a national forest in eastern Arizona has burned 1,900 acres in steep and rocky terrain that has made the blaze difficult to contain.

The fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest about 15 miles south of Alpine wasn't threatening any structures, and no injuries were reported. No estimate was available on when crews would contain the fire.

``It could be a matter of weeks rather than days, because of the ruggedness of the terrain,'' said Gail Aschenbrenner, a fire information officer.

Fourteen fire crews and several helicopters battled the blaze.

Firefighters also were trying to protect threatened and endangered species in the area, such as Mexican gray wolves and Mexican spotted owls.