Arizona Firefighters Battling Wildfires

Arizona firefighters are battling wildfires that have consumed several thousand acres, as the fire season in the state begins on a tumultuous note.
Arizona Firefighters Battling Wildfires
5/14/2012
Updated:
5/14/2012

Arizona firefighters are battling wildfires that have consumed several thousand acres, as the fire season in the state begins on a tumultuous note.

There are at least five wildfires raging across the state, with the two largest fires consuming around 3,000 acres each.

In a statement on Sunday, fire officials said more than 2,700 acres were burned in the Sunflower Fire in Tonto National Forest, located around 21 miles from the town of Payson.

Meanwhile, firefighters are battling the 3,000-acre Gladiator Fire at Prescott National Forest, which is said to be human-caused.

“The human caused fire, which originated from a structure fire on private property has now moved onto the Prescott National Forest,” a statement from the forest service reads on Monday.

Officials said the community of Crown King is being threatened by the Gladiator Fire and people living in the town were forced to evacuate. All roads into the community have been closed.

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