Billy Fire Continues to Expand in Arizona

Gila County officials report that the Billy Fire is still spreading, with some loss of containment in the Tonto National Forest, located about 15 miles south of Young.

On August 10, officials declared an evacuation for Ellison Ranch, followed by a similar order for Murphy Ranch last week. Currently, no additional areas have been ordered to evacuate. On August 13, both directions of SR 288 near Young were closed due to the fire.

As of August 11, the fire, sparked by lightning on July 9, has consumed approximately 15,488 acres, with only 12% contained, according to firefighters.

Fire department representatives confirmed that the Aztec observation deck remains intact following the fire’s impact on the surrounding area.

Five firefighters were hospitalized due to an incident along Forest Service Road 487 on August 8. They were treated and later released that same night.

Containment levels have dropped from an earlier 16%. As of Sunday morning, Elk Camp, Trucka Ranch, Circle Ranch, Johnson Ranch, and Cook Ranch were under pre-set conditions.

The fire was initially reported to be 65% contained, but extreme heat and strong winds have exacerbated the situation, leading to increased fire growth.

Officials emphasize that the fire’s location presents significant challenges for crews, given the steep, rocky terrain and the presence of obstacles due to past incidents like the Juniper Fire in 2016. Crews must also be cautious of hazardous materials left from old mining activity.

Additionally, the Pueblo Canyon fire is advancing towards the community, with firefighters taking measures to protect structures while attempting to control the fire’s progress.

Like much of Arizona, the area is currently facing warm, dry conditions, with wind speeds reaching nearly 20 mph.