Arizona Wildfire | featured news

The last wave of evacuees from a wildfire that has grown to 45 square miles may be allowed to return home Thursday, authorities say.

Arizona’s Sen. John McCain (R) said illegal immigrants may have started some of the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes in his state, but he did not give evidence to support the statement.

The Wallow Fire has now burned more than 469,000 acres in eastern Arizona and New Mexico, 10,000 more than a 2002 fire that had been the largest in Arizona history.

Lisa Carpenter defied evacuation orders when a massive wildfire in eastern Arizona crept closer to the RV park she manages, but at one point she had second thoughts about her decision.

Deep within the burn zone, firefighters have taken care not to trod on two small areas where fires were first spotted about two weeks ago.

Thousands more were ordered to leave as the authorities grew worried about the out-of-control nature of the fire.