DUDLEYVILLE, Arizona (AP) – A small community in south-central Arizona remained under evacuation notice Friday after crews and air tanks stopped the growth of a fire that burned at least 12 homes, the officials.
The fire burned through thick vegetation at the bottom of the Gila River in Dudleyville, a census-designated place with a population of about 1,000, located about 97 miles north of Tucson.
Officials said the fire continued Thursday to about 2 acres (2 square miles) with a containment of about 20 percent of its perimeter as of Friday.
The cause of the fire was investigated.
The county sheriff’s office said approximately 200 residents were evacuated and the evacuation notice could be lifted Friday evening or Saturday morning.
On Friday, crews continued to build fire lines to prevent the fire from spreading to Dudleyville if the winds blow again, but utility teams also had to check for damage to power lines that were left without fire. energy on Thursday, said State Department of Forestry and Forest Management spokeswoman Tiffany Davila.
About 40 people spent the night in a high school shelter in a nearby community, Red Cross spokesman Mike Sagara said.
No injuries were reported immediately. Approximately 100 people were assigned to fight the fire.
Arizona had one of its worst forest fire seasons in nearly a decade in 2020 according to state Department of Forest Management and Fire officials.
Officials have warned that there is potential for widespread statewide fire activity in June.
Factors from last year’s heavy fire season included warm conditions, a lack of moisture, an overabundance of fuels in the central Arizona region and within the Sonoran Desert and increased traffic. recreational throughout the state.