Scourge of Earth: Fast-Moving Arizona Wildfire Near College Town Doubles In Size In 24-Hours
HNewsWire: A fast-moving wildfire grew in size overnight and into Wednesday north of Flagstaff, Arizona, along Highway 89, prompting local authorities to declare a State of Emergency.
The Tunnel Fire, located 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff in Coconino County, has been named. According to the Associated Press, the "wildfire has more than doubled in size" since Tuesday, reaching more than 16,600 acres Wednesday morning.
According to Fox Weather, the wildfire spread 10,000 acres in 24 hours.
The fire was reported on Sunday afternoon and was 0 percent contained this morning. At least 750 people have been evacuated from their houses.
Brady Smith, a spokesperson for the Coconino National Forest, told the Associated Press that the wildfire is heading northeast, away from Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University.
"It's positive in that it's not going to a densely populated region, and it's going to use less gasoline," Smith said. However, depending on the severity of the fire, fire may still spread through cinders.
Massive columns of smoke and flames can be seen spreading over the drought-stricken area in video released on Twitter.
Drought conditions are severe to extreme throughout most of the United States' West. The fire is unsurprising given that half of the nation has been experiencing one of the worst mega-droughts in 1,200 years.
According to new estimates from federal government meteorologists, drought conditions may increase since there is a 59 percent possibility of La Nia for the Northern Hemisphere through July. This would result in drier circumstances, which might trigger even more wildfires.