Eastern Arizona ready for tourism boom after Wallow Fire
May 23, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:00 am
PHOENIX — It was over Memorial Day weekend two years ago that the Wallow Fire was ignited by a pair of careless campers.
It became the largest wildfire in state history, burning more than 500,000 acres. The fire threatened several communities and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
Two years later, and eastern Arizona is expecting huge holiday weekend crowds.
Becky Christiansen heads up the Springerville/Eagar Chamber of Commerce and has watched a rebirth of tourism in towns like Alpine, Eagar and Greer, among other communities.
“The fishing and hunting is very much alive,” she said. “The weather is cool and we have a lot of events going on this weekend.”
Christiansen didn’t downplay the significance of the Wallow Fire but points out that it burned in patches and only 10 percent of the area was severely burned.
“They’re places where you can’t see any burned areas. This forest is millions of acres and it is still beautiful.”
Christiansen expects packed hotels and restaurants all weekend long as people look to escape the Valley heat in the high country.
