Single Publication

Summary: The fire stayed active throughout the night as southeast winds fueled it to the northwest through the Gila River bottom. Firefighters stayed engaged into the early morning hours working to suppress numerous spot fires and scouting locations for day shift resources to safely engage at the head of the fire. The fire continues to produce extreme fire behavior with long-range spotting. The fire pushed approximately six miles on Friday. Additional resources arrived on the fire late Friday night, including engines, medical teams, water tenders, and overhead to support the more than 175 personnel currently assigned to the incident. A second hotshot crews is expected to arrive on the fire Saturday morning. For today’s operational period, a dozer and hand crews will continue working the north/northwest side of the fire as they try to stop it at its head and keep it from progressing. Crews will also begin prepping the local River Road roughly three miles ahead of the fire to use as a holding feature. Prep work around Fort Thomas is also underway. Firefighters are using direct and indirect tactics as part of overall suppression efforts. Resources are trying to keep the fire north of the US 70, east of Fort Thomas, and within its current footprint in the river bed. The fire is burning within the Gila River bottom near the community of Eden in dense Tamarisk stands. Tamarisk, or salt cedar, is an invasive species that is highly flammable making suppression efforts challenging. The plant can create extreme fire behavior and when it burns, produces thick, black smoke. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are forecast for the weekend. Some areas around the fire remain in SET. This morning, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office issued a READY notification for all homes in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas-area 

The fire started on Wednesday, May 7, and by the next day, operations called the fire 80% contained at 160 acres. Friday morning, high winds spotted the fire over a 25-30’ containment line on the north end. Those winds, coupled with the vegetation, fueled the fire pushing it out to the north and northeast. Single Engine Air Tankers were ordered but quickly grounded after their use was deemed ineffective by operations. Water scoopers took over and supported the incident for the rest of the day drafting water out of the nearby San Carlos Reservoir. Multiple power and gas lines were damaged in the fire. At this time, there are no reports of damaged or destroyed structures. On Friday, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office issued a SET notification to all homes between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of US 70. Some residents did voluntarily evacuate. The US 70 remains open in both directions between Fort Thomas and Safford, however, drivers in the area should be mindful of drifting smoke and any potential intermittent closures due to the fire activity. 

Today, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will transfer command of the fire to the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team. 

Evacuations and Closures: Per the Graham County Office of Emergency Management SET for homes between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of US 70. READY for all homes located in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas-area. 

Weather: Patchy, blowing dust before 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Breezy, with an east/southeast wind of 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. 

Safety: Due to aircraft use, a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) is in place over the fire. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.