July 17, 2024: Blaze closes Tonto National Monument
The wildfire is growing in Tonto National Forest has now burned more than 17 square miles with no containment. The blaze just south of Roosevelt Lake is threatening several communities and powerlines.
Matthew Wilcox with a multi-agency wildfire response team says evacuation orders and warnings have been issued, including at Tonto National Monument.
"Terrain around this fire is extremely inaccessible and so every fire has its challenges to overcome and we’re confident we can make a plan to get around this one."
The Superintendent of Tonto National Monument has closed all areas of the park until further notice. Nearly 450 personnel are working to prevent the fire’s spread.
July 16, 2024: Blaze is still at zero percent containment
Firefighters are still working to get the upper hand on the Black Fire in the Tonto National Forest. It has burned nearly 14 square miles with no containment.
There are standing evacuation orders from the blaze, which has been burning south of Roosevelt Lake since Thursday. Campgrounds, farms and ranches are under threat.
Officials are also warning nearby mobile home and RV parks, as well as a post office, that the lightning-caused blaze may be approaching.
According to the United States Post Office: "Services at the Roosevelt, AZ, Post Office, located at 18762 N AZ Highway 188, have been temporarily relocated to Tonto Basin Post Office."
July 15, 2024: Evacuations in Gila County
Several areas in Tonto National Forest are under evacuation orders due to a lightning-caused wildfire that has burned 8.6 square miles since last week, authorities said Monday.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the Black Fire began Thursday in Gila County and remains at zero containment.
Three campgrounds and two ranches were among the areas under the evacuation orders, but it’s unclear how many people are affected.
The Black Fire follows the Wildcat Fire that charred more than 7.8 square miles northeast of Scottsdale in mid-May.
Authorities said the cause of the Wildcat Fire remains under investigation.
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Earlier this week, Arizona’s Department of Economic Security announced that disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) is now available for members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, where those affected by a fire that burned over 2,000 acres in July will benefit. -
Arizona’s peak fire season is winding down, and federal officials say total acreage burned this season was about average. -
The Department of Energy announced $2 billion in funding nationwide to protect power grids from extreme weather. -
About 160 firefighters continue to battle the Flood Fire in Pinal County. The blaze has burned 4,400 acres so far and is 30% contained.
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The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has set aside $2 million to fund wildfire prevention projects covering 3,000 acres statewide.
