Photo courtesy of ABC15 Arizona

Arizona continues to battle several large blazes this week.

The Oak Fire on the Coronado National Forest now exceeds 11,000 acres in size, while being only five percent contained by the four hotshot crew, 3 Type 2 hand crews, and 4 helicopters assigned to the blaze. Weather conditions have recently been more favorable, but as of today, gust of wind up to 20 MPH are expected and a Haines Index of 4 – High could be reached later this week.

Things aren’t much better on the San Juan Fire, which has reached 5,700 acres on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Over 550 firefighters are battling the blaze with the help of seven engines, four helicopters, bulldozers, and water tenders.

At a packed community meeting on Saturday, IC Matt Reidy said that recent forest thinning operations on the Apache-Sitgraves has helped firefighters establish good anchor points, allowing them to better fight the blaze.

Active wildfires across the Arizona now total over 75,000 acres. More information can be found via Inciweb.