ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Three people have been arrested in
connection with at least one of the wildfires that forced
evacuations and prompted massive firefighting efforts as they
burned along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque this week.
"Three individuals are in custody," Mayor Martin Chavez
announced late Thursday night. "Charges to follow."
Chavez said investigators feel confident they've got "at least
one of the fires resolved in that regard." Investigators have not
linked the fires, which burned about a mile apart, but have not
ruled out a connection, he said.
Chavez said earlier that investigators were looking for two
juveniles who might have set off fireworks that sparked the first
fire, and for an adult who may have been responsible for the second
blaze.
In Arizona, investigators said Thursday night that a wildfire
that devastated a mountaintop community near Tuscon was likely
human-caused.
Albuquerque residents returned to their homes along the Rio
Grande on Thursday as firefighters tried to stamp out the remnants
of a smoldering blaze that transformed a riverside forest into a
patchwork of black and gray.
The suspected arson fire began Wednesday night and scorched
about 165 acres. About 200 people were forced to abandon their
homes and spent the night in hotels or the homes of friends and
relatives.
Marlene Roberts fled her home with her husband, David, after he
placed garden sprinklers on the roof.
"We could see these huge flames, and then you'd see just huge
fireballs and these loud explosions. It was so eerie, both
fascinating and terrifying at the same time," she said.
About 200 firefighters were on the scene Thursday as two
National Guard helicopters dumped massive buckets of water on
remnants of the blaze. Crews also quelled a flare-up during the
afternoon.
The fire was the second in the Rio Grande area in as many days.
The first, just to the south of the second, burned about 350 acres
after it was started Tuesday. It was 75 percent contained Thursday,
fire officials said.
Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday ordered a 19-mile stretch of
the heavily wooded Rio Grande region closed through July 4.
The forested area - popular with bicyclists, joggers, walkers,
birders and nature lovers - is laced with trails and features a
paved path for cyclists and inline skaters.
The New Mexico National Guard deployed 120 soldiers and airmen
to help ensure the safety of the public, said Brig. Gen. Kenny
Montoya, the Guard's commanding officer.
Meanwhile, firefighters outside Tucson, Ariz., got help from the
weather for a second day Thursday as they made progress on
containing a wildfire that devastated a mountaintop community.
Calmer wind and higher humidity made it easier on crews building
and strengthening firebreaks around the blaze, which burned about
345 buildings in and around Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon.
The fire began June 17 on the 9,157-foot peak northeast of
Tucson. Driven by wind, flames roared through Summerhaven on the
southern side of the mountain on June 19 and continued burning
across the top of Mount Lemmon and down the north side.
The blaze has charred more than 30,000 acres, much of it pine
forest, but is now 50 percent contained.
Investigators said late Thursday they believe the fire was
human-caused because they had ruled out the possibility that
lightning or other natural factors sparked it.
"We have people we're interested in talking to," said David
Conto, a fire investigator for the Pima County Sheriff's
Department. "I wouldn't classify them as suspects yet."
The blaze was believed to have started near a trail southwest of
Summerhaven.
---
On the Net:
National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov
connection with at least one of the wildfires that forced
evacuations and prompted massive firefighting efforts as they
burned along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque this week.
"Three individuals are in custody," Mayor Martin Chavez
announced late Thursday night. "Charges to follow."
Chavez said investigators feel confident they've got "at least
one of the fires resolved in that regard." Investigators have not
linked the fires, which burned about a mile apart, but have not
ruled out a connection, he said.
Chavez said earlier that investigators were looking for two
juveniles who might have set off fireworks that sparked the first
fire, and for an adult who may have been responsible for the second
blaze.
In Arizona, investigators said Thursday night that a wildfire
that devastated a mountaintop community near Tuscon was likely
human-caused.
Albuquerque residents returned to their homes along the Rio
Grande on Thursday as firefighters tried to stamp out the remnants
of a smoldering blaze that transformed a riverside forest into a
patchwork of black and gray.
The suspected arson fire began Wednesday night and scorched
about 165 acres. About 200 people were forced to abandon their
homes and spent the night in hotels or the homes of friends and
relatives.
Marlene Roberts fled her home with her husband, David, after he
placed garden sprinklers on the roof.
"We could see these huge flames, and then you'd see just huge
fireballs and these loud explosions. It was so eerie, both
fascinating and terrifying at the same time," she said.
About 200 firefighters were on the scene Thursday as two
National Guard helicopters dumped massive buckets of water on
remnants of the blaze. Crews also quelled a flare-up during the
afternoon.
The fire was the second in the Rio Grande area in as many days.
The first, just to the south of the second, burned about 350 acres
after it was started Tuesday. It was 75 percent contained Thursday,
fire officials said.
Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday ordered a 19-mile stretch of
the heavily wooded Rio Grande region closed through July 4.
The forested area - popular with bicyclists, joggers, walkers,
birders and nature lovers - is laced with trails and features a
paved path for cyclists and inline skaters.
The New Mexico National Guard deployed 120 soldiers and airmen
to help ensure the safety of the public, said Brig. Gen. Kenny
Montoya, the Guard's commanding officer.
Meanwhile, firefighters outside Tucson, Ariz., got help from the
weather for a second day Thursday as they made progress on
containing a wildfire that devastated a mountaintop community.
Calmer wind and higher humidity made it easier on crews building
and strengthening firebreaks around the blaze, which burned about
345 buildings in and around Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon.
The fire began June 17 on the 9,157-foot peak northeast of
Tucson. Driven by wind, flames roared through Summerhaven on the
southern side of the mountain on June 19 and continued burning
across the top of Mount Lemmon and down the north side.
The blaze has charred more than 30,000 acres, much of it pine
forest, but is now 50 percent contained.
Investigators said late Thursday they believe the fire was
human-caused because they had ruled out the possibility that
lightning or other natural factors sparked it.
"We have people we're interested in talking to," said David
Conto, a fire investigator for the Pima County Sheriff's
Department. "I wouldn't classify them as suspects yet."
The blaze was believed to have started near a trail southwest of
Summerhaven.
---
On the Net:
National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov
Comment