Free Republic

CBS/AP) A 3,260-acre fire approached a popular state park in northern Arizona, and Colorado's governor banned open burning and fireworks as a wildfire there grew to nearly 12,000 acres. If the 3,260-acre blaze crosses the northern line crews are building and continues its march up the edge of Oak Creek Canyon, the next possible place to stop its advance is 2½ miles to the north, said Paul Broyles, the commander leading the 700 men and women battling the blaze, and more homes may be in danger. "Today's a critical day," he told firefighters early Thursday. "I won't say it's a...

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2006 - 0530 MDT NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3 CURRENT SITUATION: Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 107 new fires reported. Six new large fires (*) were reported, three in the Eastern Great Basin Area and one each in the Southwest, Western Great Basin and Southern Areas. Four large fires were contained, two in the Southern Area and one each in the Southwest and Eastern Great Basin Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming....

SEDONA, Ariz. — A wildfire threatening hundreds of homes and businesses early Monday spread to 3,000 acres near northern Arizona's scenic Oak Creek Canyon as firefighters prepared for another hot, dry and windy day. The fire started Sunday and spread quickly through the parched region, forcing the evacuation of about 400 homes and businesses in the canyon and about 100 homes in five subdivisions on the north side of Sedona. "We need some rain in the worst way here and our monsoons aren't due to start 'til after July 4, it's been my experience. So, pray for rain," said Serge...