Another huge fire in Eastern Arizona

...near my old stomping grounds.

GREER, Ariz. (AP) -- Authorities ordered more eastern Arizona residents to evacuate their homes Sunday as a 225-square-mile blaze that has grown into the third-largest in state history crept toward more buildings.

The Apache County sheriff's office told an unknown number of people east of the town of Alpine along U.S. Highway 180 to get out as the forest fire crept closer.

Alpine itself has been under mandatory evacuation orders since Thursday night, along with the community of Nutrioso and several lodges and camps in the scenic high country.

Photos courtesy WMI Central

...

Crews have zero containment of the fire, which has been burning for a week.

Remember Rodeo-Chediski, the monster fire that burned over 468K acres? That one nearly took out Show Low. This one is more isolated; farther from any populated areas. Magnificent country, and a damned shame.

---