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CNN Live At Daybreak

Largest Wildfire in Arizona History Has Finally Been Contained

Aired July 08, 2002 - 06:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It took nearly three weeks, but the largest wildfire in Arizona history has finally been contained. The massive wildfire burned nearly 470,000 acres of eastern Arizona's White Mountains. It destroyed more than 450 homes. Officials say hundreds of firefighters do remain on the fire lines, mopping up smoldering embers this morning. Crews are also seeding the burned land with native grasses to keep the soil from eroding during the coming rainy season.

People aren't the only ones left homeless by the Arizona wildfires. Wildlife is, too. Roaming animals are posing a threat to themselves and to people.

CNN's Jason Bellini explains in his postcard from the field.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's about 1:30 in the morning and I'm driving to Sibique (ph), Arizona, which is one of the firefighter base stations. Just before I left, some locals warned me to be very cautious on the road because they said I'd likely encounter elk. And if one of those mammoth creatures jumps out in front of your car and you hit it, it's going to cause some serious damage to your car, if not to your person. I was on the road for about 20 minutes and sure enough, an elk jumped out in front of my car. And fortunately I was able to stop in time.

One of the main reasons why there's so many elk on the roads right now here in northern Arizona are these wildfires. The animals are seeking safety and unfortunately they don't realize that the road isn't a safe place for them to wait out these fires.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Jason Bellini reporting there.

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