Officials say a roughly 2,000 acre wildfire burning on the Fort Apache Reservation is 50% contained, but Thursday’s forecast of high winds has drawn a red flag warning for the area.
The wildfire named G22 has been burning on land important to the White Mountain Apache community for nearly two weeks.
Firefighters are defending ground used for timber and livestock grazing. They’re also protecting heritage and recreation sites.
Hand crews’ efforts have been bolstered by large equipment like engines, water trucks and a helicopter.
Grass, brush, dead flora and pine fuel the fire, which officials worry could become much more active on a cool day when wind-gusts as high as 35 miles-an-hour are expected.
The cause of the G22 wildfire remains under investigation.
