For the first time since it started May 29, firefighters have been able to keep parts of the Wallow fire in eastern Arizona contained, UPI quoted officials as saying. Even so, the massive blaze threatened to cross the state line into the small town of Luna, N.M., The Arizona Republic reported. More than 3,000 firefighters managed to contain a small slice of the fire with the aid of a DC-10 tanker, while authorities in Catron County have evacuated about 100 homes near the state line. The second-largest fire in Arizona history grew to 408,887 acres Friday from about 386,000 Thursday, but no additional homes or buildings were lost. So far about 50 structures have burned. "We had a really good day today. We are feeling really good about the east flank of Greer," said Jim Whittington, spokesman for the Southwest fire-management team. "That's going to be a critical piece we are going to be watching tomorrow [Saturday]." Firefighters were able to gain a toehold in the fire because the blustery winds that were pushing it calmed down, allowing firefighters to set preventive burns and cut firebreaks in its path.
