Whiting Fire In Eastern Arizona Rare For Late October

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 11:30am

Firefighters are battling a wildfire on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in eastern Arizona.

Spokeswoman Pamela Baltimore says the Whiting Fire is burning in grass, juniper and fallen trees and is estimated to be around 100 acres.

“We do have local crews in the area on it right now, and one hotshot crew out of Tucson and also the Department of Correction crew on it,” Baltimore said.

Baltimore says it’s unclear what would ignite a wildfire late in October, though she says there was some lightning in the area last weekend. She does say despite the summer rains, the forest appears to be drier than might be expected.