U.S. fire-fighters are bombing the first Arizona wildfires of the year with retardant liquid from the air.<br/> <br />They're fighting to contain at least four large outbreaks.<br/> <br />This fast moving blaze, named the Gladiator Fire, had destroyed at least 22 square kilometres of forest and grassland and several buildings by early Thursday.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: JOE REINARZ, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"We're not sure that that is going to stop it until we get boots on the ground, but we cannot go in there when there is a high probability that it's going to take off."<br/> <br />Strong winds, dry weather, and the rugged mountainous terrain are hampering efforts to tackle the fires in central and eastern Arizona.<br/> <br />Fire-fighters are digging out containment lines with hand tools to stop the spread of the fires.,<br/> <br />The state suffered a record season for fires last year when almost 2, 000 blazes were recorded.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
