Arizona firefighters count on weather

ALPINE, Ariz., June 12 (UPI) -- The huge Wallow fire in the Arizona mountains covered nearly 444,000 acres Sunday, but firefighters said they are hopeful the weather will work in their favor.

The fire chewing through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest was last listed at 6 percent containment and remained a threat to structures in the area south of Alpine.

The White Mountain Independent in Show Low said Sunday fire crews had a good day Saturday with productive back-fire operations and air drops of water that included two drenchings by a DC-10 air tanker near Greer.

Winds Saturday pushed the flames back toward previously burned areas, and it was hoped similar conditions Sunday would slow the fire's advance.

While firefighters worked to contain the fire, utility crews were toiling to repair damaged power lines that KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., said had knocked out electricity service to thousands of people in the state.