The Cedar Creek Fire burning approximately 10 miles south of Show Low has grown rapidly since Wednesday, going form a reported 3,000 acres that evening to over 5,500 this as of Thursday morning. Reports that the fire has grown to over 8,000 acres are misleading as 3,000 acres were due to a control burnout done to head off the spread of the fire.
The residents of Forestdale have already been evacuated and pre-evacuation notices have been issued for the city of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Fort Apache, Hon-Dah and McNary. Residents in those areas are being asked to prepare for an evacuation with emergency supplies, including prescription medications, fresh drinking water, non-perishable food and clothing. They are also being asked to make arrangements for the safety of their animals.
The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at Snowflake High School which is located at 190 S. West in Snowflake. A secondary evacuation location is at the Round Valley Middle School, located at 126 W. 2nd St., Eagar but that is not operational at this time.
Small pets will be allowed at Snowflake High School but only after an order to evacuate is made, not for those voluntarily leaving before that time. The Navajo County Fairgrounds, located at 404 E. Hopi Drive in Holbrook is on alert to receive large and small animals, as well as the Taylor Rodeo Grounds, located at 98 Center St, in Taylor.
Road closures also remained in effect in the area on Thursday morning, including a 19-mile stretch of U.S. 60 south of Show Low.
Forecasts call for dry conditions with winds at 22 miles per hour for today, dropping below 13 miles per hour over the next two days.
