The Woodbury Fire is now 6% contained! This occurred on the southern portion of the fire near Forest Road 172. Fire fighters continue to make progress on the Woodbury Fire despite low humidity and temperatures over the century mark. The following actions are occurring today:

ï‚· Continue to improve lines where possible along the southern and western flank to further protect the communities of Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and Queen Valley.

ï‚· Continuation of protective actions for the apple orchard at Reavis Ranch as well as nearby Mexican spotted owl habitat.

ï‚· Continue to prepare and improve control lines to protect the Arizona Public Service 500KV line crossing the fire area. Heavy equipment will be used after environmental concerns are addressed.

ï‚· Monitor and reinforce as necessary the retardant barrier that was emplaced on the western flank to keep the fire inside the National Forest boundary.

ï‚· Develop plans to protect well heads in the Pinto Creek drainage that service the Pinto Creek mine operations.

Where the fire has progressed toward Reavis ranch, it remains about 10 miles from the Roosevelt area. Other than the closure of State Highway 88 (Apache Trail) ordered earlier, no evacuations have been ordered for this fire. If future evacuations are determined to be needed in the Roosevelt Lake area, the Gila County Sheriff’s office will issue such an order and make notifications. None are imminent presently. Residents along State Highway 188 will observe substantial smoke today when fire activity increases in the afternoon. No immediate threat exists for Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Queen Valley or other southern communities.

The Tonto National Forest has implemented a closure of the area around the perimeter of the Woodbury Fire. Barriers are in place to keep the public out of the area around the fire. Please respect and obey the closure so firefighting actions can continue unimpeded. For more detailed information go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=52969

Closures: State Highway 88 is closed from Needle Vista east to the junction of State Highway 88 and State Highway 188. This includes Tortilla Flat, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and campsites along Apache Lake.

The following areas remain open and accessible to the public: Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Tonto National Monument Visitor Center, Lost Dutchman State Park and Oak Flat Campground. Tonto National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place.   back...