Latest news with #CochiseCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Dog rescued from remote area northwest of Willcox after staying by dead owner's side
Search and rescue teams found a dog that stayed with their owner who died in an isolated area of southern Arizona. On July 5, a search and rescue team with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office found a vehicle in a "very remote" area north of Muleshoe Ranch, about an hour northwest of Willcox. A small dog remained near the vehicle after their owner died under unknown circumstances, according to a Cochise County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Facebook post. The small gray dog initially ran off but was safely caught, the group said. John Merten, who commented on the post, said that he encountered the dog. "I stumbled upon this scene yesterday and was unable to catch the dog. I did feed him a sandwich and left water for him," Merten said. The team noted this was not the first time a pet was found to have stayed with their owner under tragic circumstances. "This truly shows the devotion and love a pet has for their person," read the post. The dog was now at a shelter, according to the team. The owner's identity was not known, as of July 6. Contact reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on Instagram, X, Threads and Bluesky: @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rescues find dog who stayed with dead owner in remote southern AZ
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Stronghold Fire minimized by overnight weather but concerns remain for windy weekend
The Stronghold Fire remains burning southeast of Tucson in the Dragoon Mountains, but more than half has been contained, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. At 2,138 acres burning as of May 2, there is a 62% containment with 265 people battling the fire, found 21 miles east of Benson Acres, according to the forestry and fire department. There has been no growth to the fire in the past few days, with cooler temperatures overnight and relatively higher humidity having helped minimize the flames, the department said. On the morning of May 2, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office lifted the SET notifications to "ready" status for south of Ironwood and west of Cochise Stronghold roads, the department said. There remains a concern that the hot, windy and dry conditions on the weekend could intensify the Stronghold Fire, the department cautioned. Crews were expected to complete their work along the west end of the fire by checking on the line for any potential threats, according to the department. A drone was flying over steep and rugged terrain and revealed some hotspots within the fire where smoldering remains, the department added. The fire started on April 28 and its cause remains under investigation, according to the department. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stronghold Fire could worsen due to wind in southern Arizona
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Stronghold Fire crews achieve 22% containment for blaze burning south of Tucson
Firefighters working on the Stronghold Fire southeast of Tucson achieved 22% containment after the blaze burned more than 2,100 acres over two days. Fire officials said that there was little activity overnight on April 29. The fire's eastern flank was the most active as it burned through grass and brush within Grapevine Canyon, according to the national wildfire tracker InciWeb. The blaze ignited April 28 east of Benson, in Cochise County, and burned 2,138 acres as of April 30. The southern tip of the fire burned in the Dragoon Mountains. Multiple evacuations near Sunsites-Pearce and Cochise Stronghold were ordered, and co mmunities remained in GO (evacuate) and SET (prepare for an evacuation) status. The Stronghold Canyon area campgrounds and trailheads were closed due to the fire. Fire officials said about 240 personnel were working to protect homes to the northeast and east of the fire and securing the fire on the west side to keep it out of Stronghold Canyon East. Some hand crews and engines were conducting point protection around nearby homes and critical infrastructure within the fire's perimeter. Other values at risk include recreation sites, livestock infrastructure, wildlife habitats and watersheds, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The fire destroyed one building. The cause of the fire was unknown and under investigation. The Cochise County Sheriff's Office ordered an evacuation for residents west of Cochise Stronghold and south of Ironwood Road, including the Stronghold Canyon area campgrounds and trailheads in the Sunsites-Pearce area. Residents west of Desert Road, east of Cochise Stronghold Road, north of Middle March Road, south of West Eastland Street and north of Pearce Road are all in SET status. Additionally, residents east of Desert Road and west of North Willcox Road were in READY status. If residents need assistance evacuating large animals, they can call Southeastern Arizona Communications and CCSO Ranch Patrol, according to a Facebook post from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. A second wildfire ignited in Bisbee near Mason Hill, west of Highway 80, according to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office warned residents in Old Bisbee between West Boulevard and Art Avenue to prepare for an evacuation. The fire had burned 3 acres as of 11:30 a.m. April 30. Highway 80 was closed from West Blvd (east of the tunnel) to Naco Road. Drivers were detoured through Tombstone Canyon. The cause of the fire was unknown. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfires burn near Sunsites, Bisbee in Cochise County
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Stronghold wildfire grows to 2,000 acres in windy conditions as locals urged to evacuate
Strong winds that are contributing to the rapid spread of the Stronghold Fire in Cochise County, Arizona as 246 emergency service personnel have been assigned to tackle the flames A huge wildfire in Arizona has burned 2,000 acres and emergency services have now urge locals to evacuate their homes. The Stronghold Fire, which started near Sunsites-Pearce, about 16 miles south of Cochise at around 11:30am, has continued to burn through the night. The Cochise County Sheriff's Office told multiple homes in the Sunsites-Pearce area to evacuate. Those told to flee their homes include residents on west of Cochise Stronghold Road, south of Ironwood Road, to include Stronghold Canyon area campgrounds and trailheads. Other residents that are on standby to evacuate are located east of Cochise Stronghold Road, west of Desert Road, south of Eastland Road and north of Pearce Road. According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the fire burned aggressively most of the day because of windy weather and dry grass and brush. The flames have moved into the Dragoons and the Coronado National Forest on the west and south sides. The winds continue to shift directions, which is challenging fire crews. A spokesperson for Arizona Department for Forestry and Fire Management shared an update on X which read: "The #StrongholdFire is now estimated at 2k ac. w/no containment to report. The fire has pushed into the Dragoons & @CoronadoNF on west & south sides. Ground resources remain engaged w/add'l resources on order for Tuesday morning. Aircraft worked the south flank of fire most of the afternoon, but had to be grounded due to high winds. Aircraft remains on standby or tomorrow. 246 personnel assigned." Cochise Stronghold is located to the west of Sunsites, Arizona in the Dragoon Mountains at an elevation of 5,000 ft. The woodland area lies in a protective rampart of granite domes and sheer cliffs. Located within the Coronado National Forest, it is managed by the Douglas Ranger District. Stronghold Canyon-area campgrounds and trailheads rermain closed and an investigation is underway into how the wildfire started.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuations ordered after strong winds spur fast-moving wildfire southeast of Tucson
A fire was blazing through dry desert vegetation southeast of Tucson, forcing an evacuation. The Stronghold Fire started around 11:30 a.m. April 28. As of 4 p.m., it burned 750 acres with a moderate rate of spread and moving to the northeast. The fire was 0% contained, as of 4 p.m. April 28. The Cochise County Sheriff's Office ordered an evacuation for residents west of Cochise Stronghold and south of Ironwood Roads in Sunsets. About 25 homes are in "go" status with another 100 homes in "set" status. If residents need assistance evacuating large animals, they can call Southeastern Arizona Communications and CCSO Ranch Patrol, according to a Facebook post from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The fire swallowed thick brush and grass and oak and juniper trees. High winds pushed the fire in all directions, according to Inciweb, a national wildfire tracker. The cause of the fire was unknown. Two large air tankers, two single engine air tankers, four Arizona Forestry hand crews, the Globe hotshots, along with state, federal and local engines were working to put out the fire. Aviation was working on the south side, Inciweb said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfire blazes southeast of Tucson, residents urged to evacuate
