What caused the Wallow fire in Arizona
Emily Cortez
Published Apr 23, 2026
Caleb and David Malboeuf were camping in eastern Arizona’s Apache Sitgreaves National Forest in May 2011 when their campfire spread outside its rings, sparking the Wallow Fire. … The fire destroyed 32 homes and four rental cabins, and at one point, nearly 10,000 people were forced to evacuate.
How long did the Wallow Fire last?
Highlighting the severe fire conditions this spring, the Wallow fire burned over 535,000 acres in approximately 5 weeks, while during the last 25 years, acres burned on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests from both planned and unplanned ignitions totaled 581,000 acres.
How big was the Arizona Wallow Fire?
On June 13, the Wallow Fire became the largest in Arizona’s history, surpassing the Rodeo Chediski Fire by about 1,000 acres. By the end of the day, the Wallow Fire had burned 469,407 acres (1,900 square kilometers or 733 square miles) and destroyed 32 homes, 4 commercial buildings, and 36 outbuildings.
What happened after the Wallow Fire?
On June 14, the Wallow Fire became the largest fire in Arizona history, passing the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned 732 square miles (1,900 km2) in 2002. On June 18 and 20, evacuations were lifted for Alpine and Greer and on June 21, the evacuation for Luna, NM was lifted.What caused the Wallow Fire?
The fire was started on the morning of Sunday, May 29, 2011, from sparks of a campfire built by two cousins, David and Caleb Malboeuf. They had camped near a creek and used the fire that weekend to cook their meals. The experienced campers had believed their campfire was out when they left the site.
Who started the Rodeo Chediski fire?
Tribal member and part-time firefighter Leonard Gregg is serving 10 years in prison for admitting to starting the Rodeo Fire for work. Federal officials decided not to press charges against Valinda Jo Elliott who says she started the Chediski fire when she got lost on the reservation.
What is the largest fire ever in Arizona?
Lone Fire | When: 1996. Where: Four Peaks Wilderness. Acres burned: 61,370. The Lone Fire was the largest-known fire in Arizona history when it tore through the Mazatzal Mountains, Four Peaks Wilderness area and portions of the Tonto National Forest.
Can you have a fire in Greer AZ?
No Outdoor Open Fires (i.e. bonfires, campfires, debris burning). No Charcoal BBQs (gas grills are permitted).What happened when the Wallow Fire of 2011 reached Apache tribal lands in the White Mountains of Arizona?
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests took the brunt of the Wallow Fire, which burned a total of 538,049 acres across two states, consuming 32 homes and four commercial properties and leaving 36 outbuildings in ashes, according to the Incident Information System, an inter-agency website.
Where did the Wallow fire start?Caleb and David Malboeuf were camping in eastern Arizona’s Apache Sitgreaves National Forest in May 2011 when their campfire spread outside its rings, sparking the Wallow Fire. The blaze burned more than 538,000 acres in Arizona and parts of western New Mexico before it was fully contained.
Article first time published onHow did Willow fire start?
Roughly 300 fire crews were released Sunday night, now that they’ve got a handle on the Willow Fire. Investigators believe a teen boy sparked the blaze when he was playing with fire and they expect him to face charges. The Willow Fire started last Saturday and has since grown to 5,116 acres.
What is the largest wildfire in US history?
The Great Fires of 1871 (Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin) The worst of all was perhaps the Great Peshtigo Fire, which ravaged the Wisconsin countryside and killed more than 1,500—making it the deadliest forest fire in U.S. history.
When was the fire in Greer AZ?
Updated at 8:30 p.m. MT, June 9, 2011: A damage assessment of the fire’s run through Greer last night revealed that 22 houses burned. More information. And the size of the fire has been revised again.
Where is the bush fire in Arizona?
Bush FireLocationTonto National ForestCoordinates33.629°N 111.564°WCoordinates:33.629°N 111.564°WStatisticsDate(s)June 13, 2020 – July 6, 2020
How big was the bush fire in AZ?
Incident Overview July 1, 2020 – Bush Fire Bush Fire – FINAL UPDATE Acres: 193,455acres (no change) Percent Containment: 98% (no change) Start Date: Saturday, June 13, 2020 Cause: Human-caused Origin Location: 22 miles NE of Mesa, AZ Fuels: Tall grass and brush Resources: approx.
Where is Slate fire?
The Slate Fire is located in the Flagstaff Ranger District approximately 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff, adjacent to U.S. Highway 180.
Did Four Peaks burn?
A large portion of the Four Peaks Wilderness was burned over by this monster fire which was not put out for eleven (11) days. When the smoke finally cleared, more than 61,000 acres had been burned by the largest fire known to have occurred in Arizona’s history.
What part of the world is Arizona?
Arizona is located in the southwestern quadrant of the conterminous states, bordered by California to the west, Nevada to the northwest, Utah to the north, New Mexico to the east, and the Mexican state of Sonora to the south.
Where was the Cave Creek Complex fire?
Slightly northeast of Phoenix, AZ, a massive wildfire was started by lightening on June 22, 2005. The fire started as two separate fires that later joined into one large event. The Cave Creek Complex Fire eventually burned over 41,000 acres of land.
What is the largest fire in California history?
The 2018 Camp fire in Butte County was the deadliest and most destructive fire in California’s history, although it does not rank among the 20 largest. The blaze was started by power lines in November 2018. It burned 153,336 acres, destroyed 18,804 structures and killed 85 people.
How big are Rodeo Chediski fires?
A reported 3,041 wildland fires burned more than 700,000 acres. The most severe of these was the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. At 468,638 acres, it was the largest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.
Why is Tonto National Forest closed?
Tonto officials have issued a temporary closure order at the 4 Peaks staging area off of Forest Road 143. Purpose is to protect public health and safety and provide safe working conditions during construction and gate installation at the intersection of FR 143 and SR 87.
Is there a fire restriction in AZ?
Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites is prohibited. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is permitted.
Can you have a fire in Tonto National Forest?
Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited.
How did the Telegraph Fire in Arizona start?
Mayor of Superior says Telegraph fire officials revealed “high probability” that jets caused fire. F-16 commander confirms aircraft were on maneuvers.
How many fires are burning in Arizona right now?
The state now has over 20 active wildfires.
How did Big Sur Willow Fire start?
Smoke was visible in the Salinas and Carmel valleys Friday. The wildfire started amid a sweltering heat wave gripping the West Coast, and temperatures in Big Sur on Thursday rose into the low 90s, which is unusual for the coast. Gradual cooling is expected Friday and through the weekend.
When did the Willow Fire start?
The Willow Fire was a wildfire that started in the Ventana Wilderness in California on June 17, 2021. The fire burned 2,877 acres (1,164 ha) and was fully contained on July 12, 2021.
Where is the smoke coming from in Monterey?
Smoke in Monterey is caused primarily by wildfires along the California west coast and can contribute to elevated air quality index (AQI) levels. Since 1999, Monterey County has experienced 15 large wildfires burning 300 or more acres each.
What caused the river fire 2021?
“It has been determined that the River Fire started in the overnight camping area of the Bear River Campground and was human caused,” Cal Fire said in a Friday release. … The River Fire started Aug. 4 and burned 2,619 acres, or 4 square miles. The blaze destroyed destroyed 142 structures in Placer and Nevada counties.
What state is the Dixie Fire in?
(CNN) California’s Dixie Fire is burning its way toward the record books as it nears the devastating milestone of one million acres scorched. The fire, which has been burning across five counties in Northern California for 60 days, had consumed 960,335 acres as of Sunday evening, fire officials said.