Phoenix, Arizona – A large-scale wildfire that began on May 13 in the Greer area of eastern Arizona has rapidly spread, engulfing over 8,265 hectares (approximately 82.65 sq km, or about 28 times the area of Yeouido) of vast forest land. Authorities have issued a 'Red Flag Warning' and declared a state of emergency as dry weather, low humidity, and strong winds complicate firefighting efforts.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announced via X (formerly Twitter) on May 20 (local time) that over 700 firefighters have been deployed for suppression efforts, with 38% of the wildfire currently contained. Hundreds of firefighters are battling wind-driven flames, fighting to prevent the destruction of natural vegetation including grass, brush, and trees.
The current wildfire is presumed to be caused by human ignition, in addition to natural factors such as dry climate and strong winds. Arizona, in particular, is considered a high-risk area for wildfires due to the intensification of heatwaves and droughts caused by climate change.
After visiting the fire-affected areas, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency on May 17 and urgently allocated $200,000 in state funds to support firefighting operations. Governor Hobbs expressed her gratitude to the first responders on her X account, stating, "Thank you to all the firefighters, emergency responders, and local officials working tirelessly day and night to protect lives, homes, and entire communities. Arizona is grateful for your dedication and will be with you every step of the long journey ahead."
While no casualties have been reported so far, there are concerns about property damage as well as secondary harms such as air pollution from the wildfire. Fire authorities are concentrating all efforts to prevent the wildfire's spread and are urging residents to take extra precautions for their safety. Following the complete suppression of the fire, recovery efforts for the affected areas are expected to commence, and the state government is anticipated to develop long-term measures to minimize wildfire damage and prevent recurrence.
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