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Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is 'ready, set, go' and what does it have to do with Arizona wildfires? What to know
Even when a wildfire isn't burning nearby, you need to be ready to act if something changes quickly. When a blaze ignites near you or it's time to evacuate, you need to be able to know what to do and act quickly to escape sometimes fast-moving wildfires. To make the process easier for those who are recommended to evacuate, the Arizona Sheriffs Association has put together three simple steps under their 'ready, set, go' program. Here's what to know about the 'ready, set, go' program, what it means and how to keep your family safe during Arizona's ever-expanding wildfire season. Updates: The latest on wildfires in Arizona According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network, these steps can include: Ready: Make a family evacuation plan, build an emergency kit with the five P's (people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items), keep up to date on local news and check in with those around you about their preparedness. Set: Identify the closest shelter or safe space to you, prepare to take your emergency kit, listen to public health officials and be ready to leave the area. Go: Evacuate immediately, understand that if you do not, emergency services may not be able to help you, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas until told otherwise. One of the best ways to be prepared is to register for emergency alerts through your county or tribe. It is also recommended that you follow your local sheriff department's social media, since they're the ones responsible for issuing the orders. InciWeb, a wildfire tracking website operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is also a good place to get reliable information. Keeping up with the Arizona Department of Transportation on social media can help for highway evacuations as well. Experts say individuals should make sure they're going to an official site, not relying on word of mouth or gossip. Arizonans should be prepared not only for wildfires, but also for the potential of flooding and mudslides during the monsoon. Former Arizona Republic reporter Rachel Hunt contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What does 'ready, set, go' mean for wildfires? What to know in Arizona
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuation orders lifted as Cody Fire in Pinal County reaches 90% containment
Evacuation orders for residents of Oracle have been lifted as the Cody Fire reached 90% containment, according to federal tracker InciWeb. The wildfire has burned more than 1,200 acres in Pinal County since beginning on May 21. Fire officials announced updated evacuation orders effective the evening of May 26, allowing residents to return to their homes. Following the "ready, set, go" scale, zone 18 in the Oracle area was in "set" status, while zone 17 had been downgraded with no further restrictions. As residents returned to their homes, officials asked motorists to be cautious as firefighters and incident crews remained active in the area to reinforce the fire perimeter and extinguish any remaining heat sources, according to a Facebook post from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. As of May 27, 589 people remained fighting the blaze, InciWeb detailed. The fire burned down an unknown number of structures, some of which were homes, outside Oracle, officials confirmed May 23. Utility providers were conducting essential repairs to powerlines in and around communities, according to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4. Roads remain closed at Cody Loop and Wildcat Trail, and Cody Loop and East Mount Lemmon Highway, the team said. In response to the Cody Fire, the Coronado National Forest implemented trail and campsite closures near the affected area. The forest was also under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibited the use of campfires or stove fires, including charcoal and smoking. Officials also issued an emergency order prohibiting recreational shooting in response to elevated fire danger conditions. The cause of the fire was under investigation. For more information on evacuation orders, residents can look to the Arizona Emergency Information Network or get updates on the Coronado National Forest Facebook page. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cody Fire 90% contained after burning 1.2K acres in Pinal County
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Newsweek
California Wildfire Near Yosemite National Park Sparks Evacuation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. About 300 people in California have been evacuated due to the Inn fire near Yosemite National Park, Lisa Cox, public affairs officer for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, told Newsweek by phone Saturday. The wildfire started Thursday afternoon about 60 miles east from the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The blaze grew to just over 700 acres in two days due to "dry, erratic winds," according to the latest fire update issued Saturday morning by InciWeb, an information management system that provides information about active incidents, including wildfires and other emergencies. One structure has been damaged so far, InciWeb shows. So far, no injuries or deaths have been reported on the website. Roadways in the area have shut down due to the rapidly spreading fire, including US 395, which drives right into Yosemite. Cox told Newsweek that this is the first fire they've had in the area this year. Why It Matters The wildfire season has grown longer, from four to about eight months, due to environmental impacts, according to a 2019 report from the USDA Forest Service. Studies have shown that climate change has resulted not only in a longer wildfire season but also an increase in the frequency of wildfires and acreage burned, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a report citing data tracked from 1983 to 2022. Yosemite National Park saw more than 4 million visitors last year and now requires reservations to visit during Memorial Day, according to the National Park Service website. What To Know Hundreds of firefighters are currently on the scene working to combat any fire growth, Cox told Newsweek. Along with ground crews, aircrafts were immediately requested when the fire was spotted around 3:36 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to InciWeb. Once smoke was spotted, the Mono County Sheriff's Office went door-to-door evacuating residents ahead of the quick moving fire. Within six hours of the fire being spotted, more than 538 acres had been scorched, InciWeb said. Resources from multiple agencies, including the Inyo National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Mono City and Lee Vining Volunteer fire departments have all gone to the scene to help with the firefight. Hotshot crews and strike teams are also responding to the area. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined as firefighters continue to battle the blaze. Entrance sign to Yosemite National Park, California, is seen on September 30, 2005. Entrance sign to Yosemite National Park, California, is seen on September 30, 2005. Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/MichaelWhat People Are Saying Lisa Cox, public affairs officer for the USDA Forest Service, said in a Friday press release: "Evacuations and repopulations will not occur until this northern flank of the fire is secured by firefighters and the predicted winds out of the south no longer threaten this community with potential spot fires." Mono County Tourism wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: "US 395 is closed between Lee Vining & Mono City. Expected to stay closed into the weekend. Detours: SR 167, NV 208, US 6, Benton Crossing, US 120 E. Businesses OPEN. Minimal smoke outside fire area. Thank you, first responders." What Happens Next? Cox told Newsweek that the firefight is going well, with about 15 percent containment overnight. "Looks like it laid down a lot last night," she added. It's unclear when evacuees can return to their homes, but InciWeb says that Highway 395 will be closed until all downed power lines are fixed and the roadway is safe to drive.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greer Fire reaches 88% containment, one week after the eastern Arizona blaze began
Calmer winds have helped firefighters make incredible progress on the Greer Fire. The blaze was 88% contained, as of 8 p.m. May 20 and at 20,308 acres, according to federal tracker InciWeb. "It's always a good thing when we can add some containment on the fire, so we're looking good on that part," Operations Section Chief Bryan Carpenter said during an operational update May 20. Residents in the eastern Arizona unincorporated community and surrounding areas returned to their homes as the fire, which had burned more than 20,000 acres, reached its one-week mark. Here's what else to know about Arizona's largest fire to date in 2025. Residents were allowed to return home as the evacuation orders that rely on a "ready, set, go" scale were downgraded to "set." Fire officials warned the fire was still burning, and people should expect smoke and the occasional flames as work continued. Dry and much warmer weather was on the way for the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will be light through May 21, then become gusty over the next few days, the weather service said. People planning a Memorial Day weekend getaway should not be deterred. Businesses were open, but guests at lodging facilities were subject to the same "ready, set, go" guidance as the locals. Campfires and stove fires were banned across the area, including charcoal briquettes and smoking, according to a notice from Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Forest officials have also closed trails and roads near the Greer Fire as of May 19. As of May 19, State Route 260 and State Route 373 were open to traffic, save for a small section of State Route 261, to the east of the fire area, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The fire's origin was still under investigation. As of May 20, 636 people were still deployed to beat back the fire. The Northeastern Arizona Public Information System has links to numerous agencies involved in fighting the fire, from the U.S. Forest Service to local emergency management information. This can be found at Reach the reporter at or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl. . Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Greer Fire reaches 88% containment, burning 20K acres since its start
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuations lifted, roads back open in Greer Fire area as blaze reaches 39% containment
Eastern Arizona residents evacuated due to the Greer Fire can now return home, and roads threading through the area were reopened. The news comes as the fire, which has spread over 20,324 acres, was 39% percent contained as of the evening of May 19, according to InciWeb, a federal tracker. 'Today is the day there is light at the end of the tunnel," Haley Nicoll with Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness told a gathering of locals inside Round Valley High School's auditorium. Residents were briefed on what to expect as they return home after being ordered to evacuate days earlier and where to find resources to help them put their lives back in order. Here's what to know as the fire fighting continues while residents try to resume life as normal. Fire officials reported they have 39% of the fire contained, which means they are fairly confident it will not spread beyond the boundaries they have established. As of May 19, the fire had affected 20,324 acres. The fire was still burning, and firefighting continues, said Matt Rau, incident commander for the fire. 'You're going to see some glowing out there — the fire is not out," he said. There was good news and bad news at the briefing. The good news — Winds, which had gusted up to 45 mph May 19, were dying down and the coming days were expected to be quieter, the National Weather Service said. The bad news — The area will remain dry through the coming weekend. There was a slight chance of some precipitation early next week. Power was back on throughout the area, from Greer to Big Lake and North Fork to Sunrise, said Chuck Moore of the Navopache Electric Cooperative. Moore said power lines had been de-energized to avoid having trees fall and heighten the risk of the fire's spread. Most roads in the area were now open, including the main artery of State Route 260 and State Route 373. A portion of State Route 261, between mileposts 394 and 412, was closed to the general public but will be accessible for local residents, the Arizona Department of Transportation said. Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness placed two dumpsters at the Greer Community Center so residents can dispose of spoiled food and yard waste. Staffers were conducting a community survey to determine specific needs and how to match resources to those needs. The area is still in "set" mode, which means locals should be prepared to leave on very short notice. Businesses can return to normal; there are no restrictions on allowing guests at areas hotels and lodges, although all should be mindful that the "set" status applies to them as well. The fire will still be visible, and firefighting efforts will continue. Residents and travelers should drive with caution. Reach the reporter at or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl. . Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Greer Fire evacuations lifted, some roads reopen: What to know
