Evacuations ordered in path of Bush Fire
Quickly growing Tonto Forest blaze is among 3 in state
Multiple communities in the path of a rapidly growing fire in the Tonto National Forest were ordered to evacuate Monday.
Gila County officials issued an evacuation order to residents of Tonto Basin and Punkin Center from Highway 188 and A-Cross Road to Highway 188 at Rambo Realty because of the 37,900-acre Bush Fire. This includes residents on both sides of the highway and the creek, according to Gila County Health & Emergency Management.
The American Red Cross was opening a shelter at the Lee Kornegay school for those evacuated.
Officials announced Monday afternoon that people in the area of Sunflower and Jake’s Corner should also get ready for possible evacuations due to the Bush Fire.
Fire crews were also working to contain two other wildfires in opposite corners of the state.
Near Tucson, hotshot crews were able to gain 22% containment of the 13,200-acre Bighorn Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
The Mangum Fire has burned for over a week near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, overtaking more than 24,000 acres in the Kaibab National Forest with 2% containment as of Monday.
Bush Fire
The human-caused Bush Fire started Saturday and spread quickly amid hot, dry and windy conditions. By Monday afternoon, officials said the Bush Fire had burned 37,900 acres in the Tonto National Forest with no containment.
The Bush Fire was concentrated in the Four Peaks Wilderness area of the national forest.
The fire has forced closures on State Route 87 between Bush Highway and Payson. State Route 188 was also closed between Globe and SR 87. The Arizona Department of Transportation has advised drivers to detour around the fire on State Route 260 to Interstate 17.
The Sugarloaf, Four Peaks, Lower Sycamore, Pobrecito, Butcher Jones and Saguaro Lake recreation areas are closed.
“No structures have been damaged. Infrastructure protection for State Highway 87, powerlines, private property, and sensitive recreation and heritage resources continue to be priorities for firefighting efforts,” officials said in an update Monday afternoon on facebook.com/bushfireinfo.
“Smoke will continue to be seen in the east Phoenix metropolitan valley, with heavy smoke impacting the Tonto Basin and Roosevelt Lake areas, along with recreation sites along the lower Salt River.”
Animals can be sheltered at the Birch Stockyards, Gila County Fairgrounds, and the Gila County Animal
Shelter, according to a post from Gila County Health and Emergency Management.
More than 300 people were working to fight the fire as of Monday afternoon.
Mangum Fire
Fire officials didn’t yet know what caused the Mangum Fire, which burnedmore than 24,000 acres north of the Grand Canyon in the Kaibab National Forest. The fire was 2% contained as of Monday afternoon, officials said.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office warned residents in the White Sage Community to be ready to evacuate if the fire advances. No structures had been damaged, officials said.
U.S. Forest officials evacuated the Jacob Lake Inn and nearby campgrounds on Friday. The entire fire area is closed to the public.
State Route 89A is closed between Marble Canyon and Fredonia, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. National Park officials have also closed State Route 67 between Jacob Lake and the North Rim.
More than 400 firefighters were dispatched to help contain the fire, according to an announcement on InciWeb, a government tracking site.
Bighorn Fire
Fire crews were also working to contain the 13,200-acre Bighorn Fire near Tucson. Officials said the containment was up to 22% Monday.
Evacuation orders were lifted Sunday, though several areas remained on high alert. Pima County officials advised residents to be ready to evacuate if needed.
The wildfire started when lightning ignited the dry vegetation in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness on June 5. Officials said the fire was burning steep and rugged terrain. Fire crews were using drones to gather data at the same time that crews were on the ground.
Catalina State Park is closed along with portions of the Coronado National Forest. Hiking trails near Romero Canyon, Pima Canyon, Finger Rock, Pontatoc, Pontatoc Ridge and Linda Vista were restricted.