National wildfire coordination group
Members of the Arizona Forestry Lewis Corps fight the burning Stockton Hill wildfires north of Kingman on July 6, 2023.
Evacuation orders have been lifted for some residents affected by wildfires in western Arizona. Evaporation during the monsoon season has increased the risk of fires in parts of the western part of the country, which remain high and dry.
The Mojave County Sheriff’s Office has notified people who had to leave six homes in the Red Wing Canyon area late Thursday that they can return.
Fire officials say the Stockton fire, which is 13 miles north of Kingman, is 45 percent contained, allowing firefighters to form a perimeter around the blaze. About a square mile burned.
Currently, 200 firefighters are focused on putting out the hotspot and building a second fire line to protect the homes on the north side.
Friday’s weather conditions are expected to be dry and windy.
The fire was reported on Tuesday. The cause is under investigation, but officials believe it was man-made.
There were no injuries or damage to buildings.
Meanwhile, in eastern Arizona, wildfires on the Fort Apache Reservation were not brought under control on Friday.
The Flying V fire burned 1.9 square miles. It also closed some highways on U.S. Route 60 north of the Grove.
No structures are threatened. Fires occur on rough terrain composed of grass and other bushes.
In addition to fighting the fire, the crew will focus on protecting highways and resources valuable to the White Mountain Apaches, officials said.
In New Mexico, hot, dry and breezy conditions are being dealt with as firefighters monitor a fire that has burned more than 93 square miles in the Gila National Forest. The fires forced the closure of some trails, but officials said the flames were helping clear dead and fallen trees.
Forest officials in southwestern New Mexico warned Friday that warm, dry weather and the possibility of thunderstorms could increase the chances of new wildfires.
In northern New Mexico, fire hazards are already high and conditions are expected to worsen, prompting authorities to enforce fire restrictions in the Carson National Forest.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque have warned that rising average temperatures in central and northern New Mexico will result in a later monsoon start, suggesting high fire hazards will continue into July. .
