Evacuation due to wildfire
Residents of Dudleyville in Pinal County were ordered to evacuate Thursday as a wildfire destroyed 12 structures and threatened more. Between 75 and 100 people were fighting the fire, which was 20% contained and had burned about 150 acres.
Residents of the small community of Dudleyville in Pinal County were ordered to evacuate Thursday as a wildfire destroyed structures and threatened more, authorities said.
The Margo Fire had destroyed 12 structures as of 5 p.m., according to Arizona State Forestry. Between 75 and 100 people were fighting the fire, which was 20% contained and burned about 150 acres.
Dudleyville is a census-designated place with a population of about 1,000 located off State Route 77 about 60 miles north of Tucson. There’s no immediate word on how the fire started on Thursday.
As of 1:30 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has placed all residents in “GO” mode, which means all residents must evacuate. The Sheriff ’s Office posted the current evacuation area, which includes 74 total structures and an estimated 243 residents living in the area. The Arizona Department of Transportation has also closed the northbound State Route 77 at milepost 128.
An emergency shelter has been set up at Ray High School in Kearney as well as at the Mammoth Community Center in Mammoth.
Gas has also been shut off for 178 homes in the Dudleyville area, with no estimated time for when it will be turned back on.
Livestock that need shelter can be brought to the Gila County Fairgrounds in Globe, tweeted the Pinal County Office of Emergency Management. Those who need shelter for their pets can contact Pinal County Animal Care and Control at 520-709-0256.
High winds and multiple spot fires challenged firefighters, which were attacking from the air and ground.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management officials said the wildfire is burning thick tamarisk in the river bottom.
State Rep. David Cook, whose district includes Dudleyville, tweeted “A huge THANKS to all of the amazing emergency responders who are fighting to contain the #MargoFire and protect residents near Dudleyville. THANK YOU!!”
The mining town was the site of a July 2017 wildfire that charred almost 1,200 acres and destroyed several structures, including homes.