Lightning Causes 11 Fires on the Tonto National Forest

Lightning caused 11 fires on the Tonto National Forest over the weekend. At last report five were still active or being monitored.

The White Fire south of Superior grew to 1,000 acres yesterday but it is not spreading.

The Picket Fire southwest of Superior has been stopped at two acres. As of last night, one engine was on the scene.

Shipman Fire Contained

The American Red Cross has closed its shelter at Ray Elementary School in Kearny, where people were housed this week after the Shipman Fire.

The 500-acre fire was expected to be contained by midnight last night. Evacuation orders for residents in Stephens Trailer Court have been lifted.

Shipman Fire Update

The CopperArea.com Facebook page reports that significant progress has been made on the Shipman Fire near Kearny. State Forester Scott Hunt says only five acres is now actively burning, 100 acres total. The Shipman Fire had been reported last night to be burning up to 300 acres.

Fire lines have been built to protect homes  A team that was ordered from Southern Arizona will arrive this morning but the Incident Commander believes they may not be needed.

The five miles of State Route 177 that was closed is now open.

The lightning-caused fire began shortly after 5:pm yesterday (Monday)  near the San Pedro River.

Shipman Fire Burning Near Kearny

A lightning-caused fire near Kearny has burned more than 300 acres. The Shipman Fire has forced evacuations and burned at least two structures.

The fire began shortly after 5:pm yesterday (Monday)  near the San Pedro River.

The Arizona Department of Transportation says five miles of State Route 177 has been closed.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter early this morning at Ray Elementary School. About 25 people who have been evacuated are currently at the shelter.

19 Firefighters Die in Yarnell Fire

Nineteen firefighters  died yesterday in a fast-moving wildfire  at Yarnell, near Prescott in Yavapai County. More than 200 homes have been destroyed.

The fire was caused by a lightning strike on Friday and spread to at least 2,000 acres by early Sunday. Triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and heavy winds caused the fire to burn out of control. As of 3:00 this morning (Monday), the fire has tripled in size to 6,000 acres.

Eighteen of the firefighters were from the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots. It’s unclear where the other victim was based.

The 19 deaths is the greatest loss of life for firefighters in a wildfire since 1933. It is the deadliest day for US firefighters since 9/11.

About 200 firefighters are fighting the fire, which has also forced the closure of parts of State Route 89. The fire is 0% contained.

Big Canyon Fire Burning East of Payson

A fire is burning 2 miles west of the Tonto Fish Hatchery in the Big Canyon area near Highline Trail, about 14 miles east of Payson.

The fire is being called the Big Canyon fire. It was reported about 10:30am yesterday (Sunday). Personnel and air attack were on the scene yesterday. More resources were ordered for today.

The fire has burned more than 100 acres.

Wildfire Updates

The Queen Fire has burned 1,200 acres, 2 miles northeast of Superior. There is significant smoke in the area. It is highly visible from Highway 60.

The Mistake Peak fire – 11 miles east of Punkin Center -  has now burned 4,000 acres. It is 15% contained.

The Charley Fire has burned 950 acres and is 10% contained. The fire is located 3 miles west of Sunflower in the Tonto National Forest.

Wildfires in the Tonto National Forest

The Mistake Peak Fire -11 miles east of Punkin Center- has burned 1,700 acres and is 15% contained.

Lightning started four fires yesterday (Sunday) on the Tonto National Forest.

The Hollywood Fire has burned three acres east of Arizona 87, near mile marker 205. Two fire engine crews have been assigned to that fire.

The Ice Man Fire is currently burning north of Maverick Mountain.

The two other fires are minimal and haven’t been named yet.

Small Fires Burning in Tonto National Forest

Lightning started several small fires Wednesday in the Tonto National Forest.

The Picket Fire in the Globe Ranger District burned .8 of an acre.

The Mesa Fire in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness burned 2 acres.

The Woodbury Fire burned 200 acres in the Superstition Wilderness.

The Granite Fire burned .10 of an acre in the Mesa Ranger District.

The Houston Fire in the southwest section of Hellsgate Wilderness burned 3 acres.

The McFadden Fire burned 12 acres in the Pleasant Valley Ranger District.

And the Mistake Fire has burned 10 acres in the Tonto Basin Ranger District.

Lightning Starts Small Fires in Tonto National Forest

Lightning started at least 8 fires yesterday in the Tonto National Forest. The fires range in size from .10 to 10 acres.

Fire specialists are on the scene. Resources have been ordered and are en route.

'Cooks Complex' Fires Reach 65% Containment

The total containment of the “Cooks Complex” fires in the Tonto National Forest has increased to 65%. The fires have burned more than 7,100 acres.

Multiple fires started on July 11 during a severe lightning storm near Black Canyon City and New River.

The Cooks fire, 12 miles east of Black Canyon City, is 100% contained.

The fire closest to Black Canyon City is 65% contained.

The only active fire—the one closest to New River—is 50% contained.

Update on New Fires in Tonto National Forest

Lightning strikes have caused several new fires this week in the Tonto National Forest.

The Squaw Creek Fire, 6.5 miles southeast of Black Canyon City, has now burned 4,000 acres.

The Bartlett Fire, 6 miles northeast of Bartlett Lake, has burned 250 acres.

The Cooks Fire, 12 miles east of Black Canyon City, has burned 178 acres.

The New River Fire, 9 miles southeast of Black Canyon City, is 60 acres in size.

The Orphan Fire, 6.5 miles southwest of Superior, has burned 161 acres.

Small Fires in the Tonto National Forest

Several small fires have started on the Tonto National Forest over the last couple of days.

The Orphan Fire has burned 125 acres, 6.5 miles southwest of Superior.

The Bartlett Fire has burned 250 acres, 6 miles northeast of Bartlett Lake.

The Cooks Fire has burned 50 acres, 12 miles east of Black Canyon City.

The New River Fire has burned 5 acres, 9 miles southeast of Black Canyon City.

The Squaw Creek Fire has burned 4-5 acres, 6.5 miles southeast of Black Canyon City.

Patrols Continue on Poco Fire

110 fire personnel remain stationed around the perimeter of the Poco Fire, northeast of Young. They are checking for hot spots and positioned for possible lightning strikes.

The Poco Fire has not exceeded  11,950 acres. It remains 65% contained.

The human  caused fire started on June 14. Five firefighters have been injured. No structures were burned.

Poco Fire is 65% Contained

The Poco Fire, 6 miles northeast of Young, is now 65% contained.

Forest Road 512 to Young remains closed as crews patrol and mop up around the fire’s perimeter.

Local residents and visitors are advised to keep out of the fire zone because there are still hazards, such as falling trees, rolling rocks and burning stumps.

Poco Fire 25% Contained, New Fire Near Superior

The Poco Fire, 6 miles norteast of Young, has now burned nearly 12,000 acres. It is 25% contained. The two 500 kV power lines owned by APS and Salt River Project are no longer threatened.

Fire crews responded to a new fire yesterday on the Tonto National Forest. The 177 Fire started along Arizona 177 near Milepost 164. It  is about 6 miles south of Superior. The fire has burned about 10 acres. 

Four engines, two crews, a helicopter and an air reponse crew worked to contain the fire yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

The 177 Fire forced the Arizona Department of Transportation to close Arizona 177 at the Arizona 60 junction. That road is now open.

The Fox Fire in the Coronado National Forest has burned 7,500 acres in a remote section of the Rincon Wilderness. It is 60% contained.

The Sunflower Fire in the Tonto National Forest is still 80% contained after burning more than 17,000 acres.

Arizona Wildfire Update

The Gila County Board of Supervisors held an emergency meeting yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon to declare a state of emergency in Gila County due to the Poco Fire, 6 miles northeast of Young.

The Gila County Emergency Hotline number is 402-8888 or 1-800-304-4452.

The Poco fire was very active yesterday and is now estimated at 8,100 acres after spreading rapidly to the east. The fire is still only 15% contained.

The fire spread under a portion of the two 500 kV electrical transmission lines that supply energy to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The lines are currently inactive and will be evaluated for future re-energizing.

Today crews will contend with an excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service.

A fire in the Pinal Mountains, 7 miles southwest of Globe has been completely contained. That fire burned about two acres.

The Comet Fire that burned around 200 acres  11 miles from Superior is also 100% contained.

The 257 fire, about four miles southeast of  Superior, is 85% contained.

The Sunflower Fire, 20 miles from Payson, is 80% contained.

The Fox Fire that started over the weekend in the Coronado National Forest is 10% contained. That fire has burned 3,400 acres.

Poco Fire information is posted at www.inciweb.org/incident/2911.

For information about forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, contact the Tonto National Forest at 602-225-5200 or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Poco Fire Has Burned 3,100 Acres

The Poco Fire, 6 miles northeast of Young has burned 3,100 acres. It is 15% contained.

More information at InciWeb.org.

257 Fire 75% Contained

The 257 Fire, 3 miles south of Superior is now 75% contained. It has burned 2,860 acres.

Poco Fire Burning Northeast of Young

A wildfire was reported about 2:30 yesterday (Thursday) afternoon 6 miles northeast of Young.

The Poco fire has burned 1,000 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation.