Firefighters working on the Stronghold Fire southeast of Tucson achieved 22% containment after the blaze burned more than 2,100 acres over two days.
Fire officials said that there was little activity overnight on April 29. The fire’s eastern flank was the most active as it burned through grass and brush within Grapevine Canyon, according to the national wildfire tracker InciWeb.
The blaze ignited April 28 east of Benson, in Cochise County, and burned 2,138 acres as of April 30. The southern tip of the fire burned in the Dragoon Mountains.
Multiple evacuations near Sunsites-Pearce and Cochise Stronghold were ordered, and co mmunities remained in GO (evacuate) and SET (prepare for an evacuation) status. The Stronghold Canyon area campgrounds and trailheads were closed due to the fire.
Fire officials said about 240 personnel were working to protect homes to the northeast and east of the fire and securing the fire on the west side to keep it out of Stronghold Canyon East. Some hand crews and engines were conducting point protection around nearby homes and critical infrastructure within the fire’s perimeter.
Other values at risk include recreation sites, livestock infrastructure, wildlife habitats and watersheds, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The fire destroyed one building.
The cause of the fire was unknown and under investigation.
Where are evacuations?
Evacuations were ordered for communities near Cochise Stronghold and Sunsites-Pearce on April 28. Other communities nearby remain in READY and SET statuses.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office ordered an evacuation for residents west of Cochise Stronghold and south of Ironwood Road, including the Stronghold Canyon area campgrounds and trailheads in the Sunsites-Pearce area.
Residents west of Desert Road, east of Cochise Stronghold Road, north of Middle March Road, south of West Eastland Street and north of Pearce Road are all in SET status.
Additionally, residents east of Desert Road and west of North Willcox Road were in READY status.
If residents need assistance evacuating large animals, they can call Southeastern Arizona Communications and CCSO Ranch Patrol, according to a Facebook post from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Second wildfire burns near Bisbee
A second wildfire ignited in Bisbee near Mason Hill, west of Highway 80, according to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office warned residents in Old Bisbee between West Boulevard and Art Avenue to prepare for an evacuation.
The fire had burned 3 acres as of 11:30 a.m. April 30.
Highway 80 was closed from West Blvd (east of the tunnel) to Naco Road. Drivers were detoured through Tombstone Canyon.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfires burn near Sunsites, Bisbee in Cochise County