The Woodbury Fire burning in the Superstition Wilderness increased by almost 14,000 acres overnight, Tonto National Forest officials reported early Saturday morning.
The fire increased from 66,000 acres to 79,944 acres overnight and remains 34% contained, forest officials reported via Inciweb.
Officials said the fire grew along the west fork of Pinto and Spencer Canyons, as well as Campaign Creek. The fire has enlarged to the north and the east, officials said.
The southernmost and western areas of the fire near Apache Junction, Queen Valley and Gold Canyon remain “dormant,” officials said, though officials continue to monitor the areas and are prepared if the fire begins to spread again in those areas.
Officials managing the fire are currently planning to use the Pinto Creek drainage to prevent the fire from spreading east and reaching Wheatfield — of which the fire is currently 7 miles west.
Officials closed the Superstition Wilderness and campgrounds along State Highway 188 east of the Roosevelt dam, according to a Saturday report.
Residents of the Roosevelt and Roosevelt Lake area were told Thursday to evacuate by the Gila county Sheriff’s Office, an order that affected about 250 residences. A temporary shelter facility was set up at Lee Kornegay School, at 4735 S. Ragus Road in Miami, Arizona.
More than 1,000 firefighters are now battling the human-caused blaze, which began June 8 in the Superstition Wilderness, northwest of Superior.
For details about the Woodbury Fire, information lines are available at 480-288-6110 and 505-399-2439. The lines are operational from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For information about evacuations, shelters, livestock and pet shelters, call Gila County Emergency Management at 928-402-8888 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check back at azcentral.com for updates.
Breaking News Intern Claire Rafford can be reached at Claire.Rafford@arizonarepublic.com and can be followed at @clairerafford.
“More than 1,000 firefighters are now battling the human-caused blaze, which began June 8 in the Superstition Wilderness, northwest of Superior.”
Started June 8th, and STILL only 34% contained?
Sounds ‘contrived’ to me, at best.