Latest news with #ArizonaDepartmentofForestryandFireManagement
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ranch Fire in Santa Cruz County Burns 2,700 Acres, Now 47% Contained
The Ranch Fire, a 2,751-acre wildfire burning in Santa Cruz County, is 47% contained as of Friday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Sparked by a lightning strike to a tree on Wednesday morning, the fire is burning about 19 miles southeast of Patagonia in the San Rafael Valley. Fueled by dense grasses and brush, strong winds have driven the flames from state land into the Coronado National Forest. Throughout the week, large air tankers worked with crews on the ground to suppress the flames, aided by cooler overnight temperatures and increased relative humidity. Crews are continuing mop-up operations along the fire's perimeter and within areas of heavy vegetation, as they work toward full containment. The Santa Cruz County Office of Emergency Management has downgraded all residents to the "Ready" phase of the "Ready, Set, Go" emergency response system. Santa Cruz County residents can sign up for emergency alerts at: Approximately 135 personnel remain assigned to the fire, including hand crews and engines. In May 2025, state, federal, and tribal agencies enacted Stage 2 fire restrictions across southeastern Arizona in response to extreme drought and heightened wildfire risk. Effective since May 12, the restrictions ban all campfires and stove fires on public lands—including those in developed campsites—as well as outdoor smoking. Fireworks have remained strictly prohibited on both state and federal lands. Violations of the restrictions were punishable by a fine or imprisonment, and violators may be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs. Visitors and residents should check with local jurisdictions for relevant information, as fire restrictions are subject to change. More information can be found at John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to Environmental coverage on and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Residents downgraded to "Ready" as Ranch Fire Hits 47% Containment
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
889-acre wildfire blazes near San Rafael Valley in southern Arizona
State and federal fire crews responded to a new wildfire in southern Arizona near the San Rafael State Natural Area state park in Santa Cruz County. The Ranch Fire, located about 19 miles southeast of Patagonia, has burned through 889 acres and was spreading toward the south and southeast, according to a post on X from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Beginning on state land, the fire spread to the Coronado National Forest, burning within heavy grass and brush. As of 1:30 p.m. June 4, there was no containment of the Ranch Fire. Approximately five to 10 properties along 134 Road to the north of the fire have been moved to the 'set' phase of the state's 'ready, set, go' emergency response scale, the state Forestry Department said. Residents should identify the closest shelter or safe location in the area, prepare an emergency kit and be ready to evacuate the area if the situation escalates, officials said. Large air tankers are working with teams of hand crews and engines on the ground to make progress toward containment. More resources have been ordered to respond to the blaze. The cause of the Ranch Fire has not been determined. In May 2025, state, federal and tribal agencies implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions in southeastern Arizona due to extreme drought conditions and wildfire activity. Since May 12, the restrictions have prohibited all campfires and stove fires on public lands, even those built within developed campsites, as well as outdoor smoking. Fireworks were always prohibited on state and federal land. Violations of the restrictions were punishable by fine or imprisonment, and violators may be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs. Visitors and residents should check with local jurisdictions for relevant information as fire restrictions were subject to change. More information can be found at John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to Environmental coverage on and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. Arizona wildfire evacuation checklist: What to do and take before leaving your home This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Evacuations possible as Ranch Fire sparks up in Santa Cruz County
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire crews take on blazes across the state overnight including one in Phoenix
Firefighters have gained control over three brush fires that cropped up throughout the state on the night of May 20, ranging from rural grass fires in southeastern Arizona to a brush fire in the heart of Phoenix. This came after the Greer Fire in eastern Arizona reached 88% containment. The blaze began May 13 and burned over 20,00 acres. Residents in the unincorporated community and surrounding areas were allowed to return to their homes after the fire was 55% contained. Meanwhile, fire danger was still possible throughout the state. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management along with the Bureau of Land Management, announced new stage 2 fire restrictions within central and western Arizona May 21. Stage 2 restrictions were already in place in northeastern and southern/southeastern Arizona, the forestry department said. Here's what happened with the three fires that sparked up overnight around the state. Residents near Oracle were under a 'set' evacuation status until firefighters gained control over the nearby Cedar Fire, which burned a little over 10 acres of the Coronado National Forest, according to a Facebook post from the U.S. Forest Service. Emergency response officials downgraded the evacuation status to "ready" early in the afternoon on May 20 for some areas. "Set" remained in effect the morning of May 21 for zones 14, 15, 16 and 17, the forest service said. 'Set' status meant that residents should be prepared to evacuate at short notice. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office announced that the town of Oracle was under 'significant fire danger' during the evening of May 20 as the evacuation status went into effect. Fire crews suppressed the Cedar Fire throughout the night, declaring that the flames had stopped expanding by late evening. The fire was officially 5% contained as of 6:40 a.m. May 21, though the U.S. Forest Service said the fire was 'surrounded by containment lines,' and crews had begun mopping up the fire's perimeter. Twelve engines, two helicopters and two large air tankers responded to the Cedar Fire, including a task force from Utah, according to a post on X by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Firefighters had to adjust operations during the evening after an unauthorized drone was spotted flying above the fire, the U.S Forest Service said. Emergency authorities have emphasized that flying over active wildfires is illegal, possibly leading to fines of up to $25,000. The cause of the Cedar Fire was under investigation. Fire crews have also stopped the expansion of the Maverick Fire, northeast of Willcox. The fire kicked up during the afternoon of May 20, burning through desert grasses and brush in an area called Cowboy Canyon, the Arizona Forestry Department said. Large air tankers and engines responded to the blaze, which grew to 20 acres before forward progress was stopped the afternoon of May 21. Smoke was still emerging from the fire's footprint during the morning, and three engines remained to keep the flames from popping up again, the state forest department confirmed. The Phoenix Fire Department responded to a brush fire that sparked in the Salt River bottom near the intersection of Seventh Street and University Drive the evening of May 20, according to an email from the department. Phoenix Fire had yet to release another update on the fire, as of May 21. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brush fire in Phoenix and two other fires pop up overnight across AZ
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Cody wildfire: Check Oracle evacuation map after fire breaks out Pinal County
Oracle officials asked hundreds of residents to evacuate after the Cody Fire broke out in Pinal County on Wednesday. The sheriff's office announced the evacuation order at 4:30 PM local time. Authorities also released an evacuation map, helping residents. The Cody Fire hit the Oracle area within 24 hours of the nearby Cedar Fire, which also prompted evacuation orders. The two fires are unrelated. According to the US Forest Service, the Cedar Fire was 50% contained as of Wednesday. Officials further added that evacuation orders are issued for regions 5 and 16 to 19 of the Oracle evacuation map. The PCSO released an evacuation map via social media and official channels, delineating specific zones in Oracle under varying levels of evacuation status. The map, referenced in alerts from PCSO and corroborated by reports from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, divides Oracle into numbered evacuation zones to guide residents. Zones 5, 16, 17, 18, and 19: Residents in these zones are under a 'GO' order, indicating imminent and life-threatening danger, requiring immediate evacuation. The PCSO's alert said: 'Residents in the Oracle area that are located in evacuation zones 5 and 16-19 are in evacuation status. Please evacuate the area immediately!' Zone 18 was added to the GO status by 4:23 PM. Zones 4 and 15: These zones are under a 'SET' status, meaning residents should prepare for potential evacuation due to significant fire danger. The PCSO advised residents to gather emergency go kits and consider voluntary relocation. San Manuel residents were also placed on SET status, per Pinal County's announcement. READY Status (Be Aware): Other areas of Oracle, not specifically zoned in the GO or SET orders, are under a 'READY' status, urging residents to stay vigilant and monitor updates, per PCSO's guidance. The READY, SET, GO system, detailed on AzEIN, encourages preparing emergency supplies in advance, including three gallons of water per person, a three-day food supply, and medications, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines cited by PCSO. Mammoth Community Center: The Town of Mammoth opened its Community Center at 101 W. 5th St., Mammoth, AZ 85618, as a temporary evacuation site for displaced Oracle residents. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has restricted access to residents only at the Highway 77 and Highway 79 junction due to changing weather conditions.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greer Fire expands to 20,000 acres, over 700 personnel battling flames
A wildfire in eastern Arizona continues to burn, expanding to over 20,000 acres, with more red flag warnings in effect on Monday. The Greer Fire, named after the small community in Arizona's White Mountains where the blaze sparked on May 13, has grown to 20,425 acres and is 38% contained, officials said on Monday. A red flag warning in northeastern Arizona -- including the area of the flames -- is in effect on Monday, with officials urging residents to avoid burning or using tools that spark. MORE: Arizona's Greer Fire explodes to more than 7,000 acres, evacuation area expands "One spark into the dry veg under red flag conditions can start a rapid spreading wildfire," the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said Monday in a post on X. Over 700 personnel have been assigned to battle the blaze, with high winds -- reaching around 40 mph -- posing "another test for firefighters holding the firelines," the forestry service said. On Saturday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency in Apache County due to the growing flames. "My heart is with everybody who has been impacted by this devastating wildfire," Hobbs said in a statement on Saturday. Evacuations have been issued for Greer, South Fork, residents west of Highway 261, Eager, south of Highway 260 and west of River Road, officials said. An interactive map has also been established to highlight the current evacuation orders. MORE: Wildfires pollute the air with smoke, dust, ash. Here's how to protect yourself The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said. Greer is a small mountain town near the state's border with New Mexico with a population of less than 60 residents, as of 2020 census data. More information on the growth of the fire and evacuations will be provided to the public on Monday evening, the forestry service said. ABC News' Leah Sarnoff contributed to this report. Greer Fire expands to 20,000 acres, over 700 personnel battling flames originally appeared on
