Endangered species hit hard by Arizona fires

The largest wildfire in Arizona history left a charred landscape of blackened forest, burned-out vehicle hulks and charred fireplaces as it destroyed more than 30 homes. It also inflicted serious damage on an ecosystem that's home to numerous endangered species. The flames spared three packs of endangered Mexican gray wolves but likely killed some threatened Mexican spotted owls as it roared through more than a half-million acres of pristine forest on the New Mexico border. Though some spots were untouched or had only undergrowth burn, the effect of the human-caused Wallow fire will last for decades. As it burned so hot in many areas it completely denuded the landscape, forest specialists said. "The natural fires are good for a healthy forest, but these fires where the debris has been allowed to build up and it just hasn't been addressed they come out very hot and just scorch everything. As soon as the monsoon shows up, there's a potential for a lot of soil to move," said Tom Buckley, a US Fish and Wildlife spokesman. Forest managers are warning homeowners in the White Mountains to get flood insurance because summer storms will likely create severe runoff. It's part of the steep human cost from the 832-square mile blaze that continues to churn through thousands of new acres per day in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The fire destroyed 32 homes and four rental cabins. The charred skeletons of holiday homes are physical reminders of disrupted lives. For many Arizona desert dwellers, the mountains have provide an escape from the heat for generations. The Wallow fire was 67 per cent contained by Thursday night but still slowly growing on the south and southeast flanks. Two other major fires are burning in the state. The Monument fire near Sierra Vista, Arizona, and the Horseshoe Two fire at the Chiricahua mountains.