Snake Ridge Fire leads to more closures near forest
The lightning-caused Snake Ridge Fire has grown to 4,850 acres and is still creeping across the forest floor in the Coconino National Forest.
Forest closure areas have been expanded to the north and east of the fire area, which is about nine miles northwest of Clints Well and several miles west of Lake Mary Road.
Smoke is expected to be visible along Lake Mary Road, on state Routes 87 and 260, and in nearby communities and the Verde Valley over the next several days.
The Pinal Fire burning south of Globe had scorched more than 6,400 acres of land by Saturday morning.
On Friday, officials issued a precautionary pre-evacuation notice to some residents in the area, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office said.
The notice only affects residents in the Icehouse and Kellner canyons who are south of the Icehouse and Kellner junction, southwest of Globe.
Officials stressed that residents do not need to leave the area at this time, adding that the precautionary notice is because of a change in the fire’s “weather and fuel conditions.”
Local public-safety personnel will go door to door to give residents information about the pre-evacuation procedures, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office said residents should start making preparations now in case an evacuation becomes necessary. Residents with livestock can choose to shelter their animals at the Burch Sale Yard, officials said, adding that the Phoenix Humane Society would assist in providing shelter for pets if necessary.
More than 600 personnel were working on combating the fire, almost double the number from Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the fire had consumed about 4,300 acres.
The Pinal Fire is the first naturally caused fire to spread through the area in 65 years, starting from a lightning strike on the afternoon of May 8. The fire is being fueled by timber and chaparral in the area, officials said.
Fire officials determined early on to treat the fire as a controlled burn because the area had not burned naturally in so long, while keeping crews in place to prevent it from crossing containment lines.
Residents with questions were asked to call the Pinal Fire Incident Command Center at 928-487-0676.
The Tonto National Forest said the fire was expected to be contained by June 15.
Firefighters spotted four drones flying illegally near the Pinal Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The drones have hindered firefighting operations, prompting the agency to repeat its message that drones are not allowed near wildfires.
When drones are in the area, firefighters ground their aircraft. Helicopters are particularly susceptible to collisions, even with smaller objects, and so it is considered unsafe to fly with a drone in the air.