Meet Lisa who now lives in Arizona. In the first of her ex-pat diaries she tells us about the recent wildfires which swept through the state...

I'm sure that most people have heard of the Rodeo-Chediski wildfires burning in eastern Arizona. Two separate fires that merged to form the largest wildfire in Arizona history.

The Rodeo fire was started on June 18th and led to the nighttime evacuation of over 30,000 people from several communities in the Show Low area.

To date more than 450,000 acres have burned and upwards of 400 homes have been destroyed. In some cases, entire neighbourhoods burned to the ground leaving nothing but ashes.

Although homes have been lost, through the Herculean efforts of fire crews from all over the United States many more have been saved.

Conditions in Arizona have been very dry for over 5 years now resulting in a severe drought. The extensive pine forests have collected a carpet of tinder dry needles that, in some places, was reported to be knee deep. All fuel for the fire.

Fire restrictions are in effect across the state and many of the mountainous, forested areas that provide a respite from the heat of summer have been closed to public access as a precautionary measure.

It is an unfortunate fact that 50% of all wildfires in the United States are started by humans. Either deliberately or carelessly. The man arrested for starting the Rodeo fire said he needed to earn money. His occupation being firefighter, he thought that starting a fire would provide him with more money.

Hikers started the Chediski fire when they became lost and decided to start a signal fire which rapidly got out of hand.

On July 3rd people were eventually allowed to go back to their homes, a welcome home banner hung from one of the fire trucks. It was an emotional time for most people knowing that the worst was over and the fire under control at last.



Are you an ex-pat living abroad? Would you like to write a short ex-pat diary on a regular basis? If so, we would love to hear from you. Email us today at:

lincolnshire@bbc.co.uk