"Thousands Ordered Out of Ariz. Town as Fire Nears"

"SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. -- Flames from a mammoth forest fire licked the ridges surrounding the eastern Arizona town of Eagar on Tuesday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of about half the 4,000 residents as surrounding towns also prepared to empty.

People started streaming out of Eagar as sheriff's deputies and police officers directed traffic. Flames were spotted on a ridge on the southeastern side of nearby Springerville and columns of orange smoke rose from the hills. Ash rained from the sky, which was filled with thick smoke, and when the sun peeked through, it was blood-red."

Bob Christie reports for the Associated Press June 7, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Arizona Wildfire Displaces More Than 3,000 People" (Reuters)

"'No End In Sight' For Arizona Fires; 389,000 Acres Scorched So Far" (NPR)

"Massive Wallow Blaze Incinerates Ariz. Forests, but Climate Change Link Remains Unknown" (ClimateWire)