Governor Doug Ducey was present at a news conference in Show Low today, expressing gratitude for those who are serving to protect citizens while the Cedar Fire (formerly called the Cedar Creek Fire) rages within a quarter of a mile of the evacuation mark for the communities of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, McNary and Hon-dah.
As of Friday afternoon, fire had consumed approximately 10,500, with no containment. Firefighters burned 3,000 of that as a controlled burn to remove fuel near the evacuation line.
Incident commanders expressed confidence that the fire will be held along that line and spoke favorably about the efforts being conducted to fight the fire, which is currently not contained.
Navajo County Communications Manager Adam Wolfe told the media in the press conference that people who are planning to come to the White Mountains need to postpone or cancel their plans to do so but Apache tribal leaders and Show Low officials disagreed.
“The White Mountain Apache Tribe strongly encourages our non-tribal members to come and enjoy the land,” stated a spokesman for the tribe, explaining that recreational facilities and Fort Apache are many miles to the east of the blaze.
Show Low Mayor Daryl Seymore agreed. “You have to understand that other fires in our area have burned 500,000 acres this one has burned 10,000. Our restaurants and businesses are open and we encourage people to come and enjoy our events and activities,” he said.
Officials say that at this time Highway 60 is closed between the junction of Highway 60 and 73, south of Show Low. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
