crap! again!
I'm totally in a little dreamworld. I thought the dark clouds overhead were more thunderstorms. Nope. The brush fires aren't out yet. I am definitely not in Chicago anymore.

Brush fire still burning near Laveen (me).

Associated Press - June 26, 2008 7:34 PM ET

LAVEEN, Ariz. (AP) - A fire that has been burning for more than a day in the dry Gila River bed southwest of Phoenix continues to chew through heavy brush.

Gila River Fire Department deputy chief Dave Martin says the blaze near Laveen has burned an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 acres. The fire has been casting a huge pall of smoke visible across much of metro Phoenix.

Crews turned back flames as they raced toward Phoenix International Raceway at midday Thursday. The fire is now moving mostly to the southeast and is not threatening any homes.

Martin says 11 people heeded calls to voluntarily evacuate their homes Wednesday night. Those homes aren't at risk, but the residents had health concerns that could have been made worse by heavy smoke.

Several hand crews are now working the flanks of the fire. Earlier, heavy air tankers and helicopters dropped water and retardant on the flames.