The fire remained active throughout the night, fueled by southeasterly winds moving northwest through the Gira River area. Early responders found themselves directly engaged, managing several spot fires and scoping out sites for additional morning resources. The fire exhibited extreme behavior, with long-range spotting noted; on Tuesday, it advanced approximately six miles. By late Friday night, more resources arrived—including engines, medical teams, and water support—bringing the total personnel to over 175. A second hotshot crew is set to join the firefighting efforts on Saturday morning. During the current operational period, dozers and hand crews are focused on the North/Northwest section, trying to contain the fire while also preparing local river roads about three miles ahead to act as a firebreak. This includes preparations around Fort Thomas. Firefighting tactics involve a mix of direct and indirect methods to control the spread of fire. Efforts are concentrated on keeping the flames north of the United States and east of Fort Thomas, following the riverbed.
Currently, the fire is burning in a dense Tamarisk stand near the Eden community, a highly flammable invasive species that complicates suppression efforts. This type of vegetation can lead to severe fire behavior and produce thick black smoke when it ignites. The forecast for the weekend suggests hot, dry, and windy conditions, which may aggravate the situation. Some areas near the fire remain on alert. This morning, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office issued an urgent notice for all residences in the River Corridor area near Fort Thomas.
The fire started on Wednesday, May 7, and within a day, had spread across around 160 acres, with operations reporting it to be about 80% contained. Unfortunately, strong winds on Friday disturbed the 25-30-foot containment line at the northern edge. These winds and the available vegetation turned into fuel for the fire, pushing it north and northeast. Although a single-engine air tanker was initially requested, it was quickly deemed ineffective and discarded. The Water Scooper, however, was able to draw water from the nearby San Carlos Reservoir to aid in firefighting efforts for the rest of the day. Some power and gas lines were damaged, but there have been no reports of structural harm. On Friday, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office notified residents in the area between Eden Road and Fort Thomas, encouraging some to evacuate voluntarily. While US 70 remains open for travel between Fort Thomas and Safford, drivers should stay vigilant for possible temporary closures due to smoke and fire activities.
Moving forward, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management plans to transition management of the fire to a Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Evacuation and Closure: Residents in homes between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of the United States are urged to pay attention to local emergency management notices.
Weather: Patchy dust is anticipated before 1 PM, with sunny conditions likely to reach nearly 93 degrees. Winds from the east/southeast are expected at 16-23 mph, with gusts possibly reaching up to 34 mph.
Safety: Due to ongoing aircraft operations, temporary flight restrictions have been imposed in the fire zone. The presence of drones poses serious risks and can hinder wildfire control efforts. If you fly… we can’t manage the fire effectively.
