Updated: Jul 22, 2023 5:15 PM
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reported that the evacuation of Herford has ended and Highway 92 has reopened. Sierra Vista Fire Chief Brian Jones said the fire burned about 700 acres and was under control.
Three wildfires erupted in the Hereford and Palominas areas late Thursday morning, according to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. Fry Fire District Chief Mark Savage said as of 2:15 p.m. Thursday, all three blazes had been combined and were 5% out.
Residents are south of Three Canyons, east of State Route 92, Deer Ridge, Wildhorse District, Andalusian Way District, east of State Route 92, Merak/Pintec, south Hereford to Three Canyons, People have been directed to evacuate to areas east of Route 92. From Hereford Road to Three Canyons.
Ramsey Canyon Road and State Route 92, which originates at Ramsey Canyon Road, are a soft closure. A CCSO spokeswoman said only residents were allowed into the area to get essentials, and they had to be escorted by a sheriff. If there is no attendant, you will have to wait. State Route 92 will be completely closed from Hereford Road to Palominas Road, CCSO said.
Savage estimates that the fires have burned thousands of acres so far, but it’s not yet clear how many acres have been identified. The wildfire monitoring website estimates the extent of the fire to be about 60 acres, just south of Stump Canyon Road.
Savage said the first wildfires were three at Valley View Elementary School in Palominas, one at Three Canyons and State Route 92, and one at Vista Grande Road and State Route 92. All three blazes have been called out, according to emergency alert app Pulsepoint. Thursday from 11:17am to 11:55am.
Savage said personnel from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Forestry and Fire Service, Palominas Fire District, Fly Fire District, Wheelstone Fire District, Sierra Vista Fire Medical Service, and the Fort Huachuca Fire responded. said he did. Department.
At least two very large air tankers (VLAT) were seen flying over Hereford and Palominas on Thursday afternoon, dropping flame retardants.
Savage said no homes were immediately threatened as of 2:15 p.m. Thursday. A shed and a garage were burnt down. He said he was trying to extinguish the blaze by setting up a fire line.
The Sierra Vista Fire and Medical Service Facebook page announced that three shelters had been set up for displaced residents in need of shelter.
The American Red Cross Shelter will open at 4 p.m. at Buena High School, Sierra Vista (5225 Buena School Blvd). A second shelter will open at 3:00 pm at the Village Meadows Baptist Church at 1407 S. El Camino Real.
This is an active story and will be updated regularly.
