Crew from San Carlos Apache Tribe helps fight major wildfire

Thursday, June 16, 2011  

A crew from the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona is helping fight the Wallow Fire, which has now become the worst wildfire in state history.

Chris Ashkie, a tribal firefighter, first spotted the blaze on May 29 during his regular afternoon check. The fire quickly spread and has consumed over 440,acres -- mainly in eastern Arizona, but also in western New Mexico.

The tribe's Geronimo Hot shots are among the 4,300-plus personnel that are fighting the blaze. It has crossed into the reservation and is threatening valuable timber, hunting, fishing and gathering grounds.

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Wallow fire hits San Carlos Apache Reservation (The Apache Moccasin 6/15)