BUSH FIRE GROWS
No containment yet on 65,000-acre Bush blaze
The Bush Fire swelled an additional 27,000 acres with 0% containment in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix on Tuesday, forcing additional evacuations in the Sunflower community.
Officials said the fire measured about 64,513 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to the Southwest Coordination Center, which oversees federal and state efforts to fight wildfires.
Hot and dry temperatures with low humidity levels were again forecast for Tuesday, creating conditions that are for ripe for quick fire growth.
On Monday, the Gila County Sheriff ’s Office issued an evacuation order for communities in Punkin Center and Tonto Basin, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office had asked communities in Sunflower and Jakes Corner to be on high alert.
Fire crews were also working to contain major wildfires in other corners of the state. The Mangum Fire was burning close to 30,000 acres in the Kaibab National Forest with 3% containment just north of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
Near Tucson, firefighters were able to secure 30% containment of the 16,000acre Bighorn Fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Residents in the Mount Lemmon and Mount Bigelow areas were issued an evacuation order on Tuesday afternoon.
The Bringham Fire has also burned for 10 days in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It’s currently at 14,625 acres with 5% containment.
Bush Fire
The Bush Fire spread quickly over the weekend due to hot and dry conditions. Officials said it had grown to approximately 64,513 acres as of Tuesday morning.
Heavy smoke was expected to continue drifting over the Roosevelt Lake
and Tonto Basin areas. The glowing lights of the flames could be seen from communities in Fountain Hills, according to pictures and worried comments posted on social media.
Officials said Monday that no structures had been damaged in the Bush Fire, and that firefighters are working to protect power lines and private property from the flames.
The Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office issued an evacuation order for the Sunflower area on Tuesday. Residents were told to evacuate north to the Payson Police Department training center, where the American Red Cross opened an emergency evacuation center.
The Sheriff’s Office also issued an evacuation order for the Apache Lake area, telling residents to evacuate to a Red Cross evacuation center set up at Lee Kornegay Intermediate School in Miami.
Gila County officials evacuated communities in Tonto Basin and Punkin Center on Monday. The evacuation extended to residents along both sides of
State Route 188 between A-Cross Road and Rambo Realty, as well as both sides of the creek.
The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter for evacuees in Miami at the Lee Kornegay School.
The human-caused fire remains under investigation.
State Route 87 between Bush Highway and Payson and SR 188 between SR 87 and Globe are both closed due to the fire.
The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that State Route 88 is closed in both directions between Apache Lake and SR 188 along Theodore Roosevelt Lake as well.
Southbound drivers should plan to detour using State Route 260 to Interstate 17.
The operations section chief laid out how firefighters are containing the Bush Fire in a briefing on Tuesday.
First, crews are working along the west side of the fire near SR 87 where they have drawn a containment line.
North of SR 87, the operations include protecting structures and homes in the Sunflower community in addition to the Mount Ord lookout tower.
Crews are also posted at the intersection of SR 87 and SR 188 preparing for the possibility the fire reaches the area.
Jakes Corner is being monitored with “plenty of resources” because the fire has the potential to reach the residential area in a few days.
Firefighters are preparing burnouts around the Tonto Basin area, which has already been evacuated, and attempting to keep the fire west of SR 188.
As the fire progresses south, Saguaro and Apache lakes and Cotton Wood Canyon are also being monitored. Crews want to keep the fire east of the 1813 and 1830 Road.
Mangum Fire
The Mangum Fire was 3% contained and burning 29,689 acres in the Kaibab National Forest as of Tuesday morning. Officials added that windy conditions would make firefighting efforts difficult throughout the day.
The fire is concentrated about 9 miles southwest of the campsites and hotel near the small unincorporated community of Jacob Lake. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office evacuated about 280 people from the Jacob Lake recreational area, according to the Arizona Emergency Information Network.
About 35 homes in the White Sage and Lonesome communities were also advised to prepare for possible evacuation.
The Arizona Department of Transportation closed SR 89A between Fredonia and the Cliff Dwellers roadside stop. SR 67 is also closed between Jacob Lake and the North Rim in the Grand Canyon National Park.
Bighorn Fire
An evacuation order was issued for the areas north of East Organization Ridge Road in Mount Lemmon and Mount Bigelow, including Summerhaven. “Safely move south on Catalina Highway and leave the mountain,” Marissa Hernandez, Pima County Sheriff ’s Department public information officer, said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will go door to door make sure all residents receive the message to evacuate. Sahuaro High School has an evacuation center and large animals can be taken to Rillito Racetrack. Pima Animal Care Center is also sheltering pets.