Fiery events

SEVERAL thousand hectares of forests
were destroyed in big wildfires that
raged across southwest us in
the beginning of May. A raging blaze
which broke out in the 1,16-million-ha
Tonto forest in Arizona, was brought
under control after hundreds of
firefighters battled it out for more than
a week. The wildfire consumed more
than 24,500 ha of the forest. Bears,
sheep and other animals headed
north to lower altitudes to escape
the fire. The blaze that had flames
leaping 152 in into the air, has been
described as one of the worst in
Arizona's history.

Another fire burned down more
than 3,000 ha of the Carson National
Forest and forced 1,000 people to flee
their homes in the rugged mountains
north of Taos in New Mexico. More
wildfires are in the offing for the South-
west region because of unusually dry
conditions and hot winds blowing across it. According to Terry
Wildermuth, spokesperson for the New
Mexico forestry division, a state of
emergency had been declared in the
state and residents were warned against
setting alight weeds.