Wildfires

Smoke is blowing into the state from Southern California wildfires. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has been monitoring the situation and says there is some good news.

Four heavy air tankers were called in to assist with managing the fire. Crews halted the fire’s progress on Friday morning.

Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat were under an evacuation order Thursday morning for the Siphon Fire, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release.

The Department of Interior is doling out some $236 million nationwide to support wildland fire management — including more than $10 million for Arizona programs.

Two fires are burning in the Payson Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest.

Local leaders from two dozen U.S. cities are renewing calls on the federal government to rethink how FEMA deals with heat and smoke.

The bureau encourages people to be aware of fire regulations and restrictions before starting any fires, and also reminds people that fireworks and explosive targets are illegal on any BLM-managed land.

State forestry officials say the Rose Fire cause was due to railroad maintenance operations as investigators say the fire was likely caused by sparks from a welder or angle grinder attempting to cut the track.

Smokey Bear is not just one of the most successful and longest running ad campaigns in American history. He also was a real bear.

The community of Sunflower has moved from "set" to "ready" status for evacuation, indicating that the threat from the Sand Stone Fire is beginning to de-escalate. The wildfire has now burned more than 27,000 acres and remains at 60% contained.