Arizona braces for dangerous season as first huge wildfire flames

LOS ANGELES—The first huge wildfire of this season in Arizona state in southwest of the United States consumed more than 20,000 acres until Wednesday morning, while expert warned the state would experience higher-than-usual fire dang

The first huge wildfire of this season in Arizona state in southwest of the United States consumed more than 20,000 acres until Wednesday morning, while expert warned the state would experience higher-than-usual fire danger. (Photo: Image Editor/Flickr)

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The Sawmill Fire, which started over the last weekend in Green Valley area, about 68 kilometers south of downtown Tucson, cut the highway 83 linking Interstate Highway 10 to Highway 82 Tuesday afternoon.

A DC-10 airliner and nearly 400 personnel had been modified to battle the blaze, local KTAR TV reported, saying that eight Phoenix-area fire departments, which are based 250 kilometers away, send firefighters or equipment to join the fight.

Nearly 200 residents voluntarily evacuated by Tuesday.

This was the first of a long wildfire season. Experts warned the southern part of Arizona would be in above-average fire danger from May through July.

Last year, about 310,000 acres burned in Arizona.