A press conference was held at 10 a.m. this morning (June 16) to provide updates on the Cedar Creek Fire that started yesterday afternoon and is threatening homes in southern Navajo County.
Pinetop Fire Chief Jim Morgan stated that the fire located just 10 miles south of Show Low has grown from 15 acres to over 5,500 in less than 24 hours. While residents from Forestdale have been evacuated, residents in Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Fort Apache, Hon-Dah and McNary have been placed on pre-evacuation notice.
“We have (evacuation) trigger points set at northern and eastern points and right now the fire is about a fourth to a half mile from the northern trigger,” stated Morgan. The weather is the biggest factor in the advancement of the fire and with gusts estimated to reach 28 miles per hour. Morgan said that today will be key in determining whether or not an evacuation order is made.
So far, there are approximately 300 firefighters from throughout the state battling the blaze but Morgan said that more resources are at hand from the surrounding states immediately if needed.
“There have been no structures lost at this point. The fire has been burning in an untreated area but will be moving into the treated areas where although there will still be fuel for the fire, it will be greatly reduced,” said Morgan. He attributes the quick emergency management response to this fire to lessons learned from the devastating Rodeo-Chediski fire in 2002. “We have a heightened sense of urgency from previous lessons. Due to the weather pattern that is so similar to that earlier fire we brought the management team in place early,” he said.
Sheriff KC Clark stated that deputies, law enforcement officers and fire trucks are already in place in pre-evacuation neighborhoods in order to answer questions by residents and assist in the event of the evacuation. “Today will be pivotal. The trigger points are set to allow plenty of time for evacuation,” stated Clark.
District Supervisor Steve Williams expressed his appreciation for all the local organizations and citizens who have offered their help, homes and property to those who may need to evacuate. “We are here to help protect homes and property but especially the residents. If you have neighbors who are elderly or have special needs in these areas please help them. I hope everyone else will please join us in our prayers,” he said.
Navajo County Communications Manager Adam Wolfe asked those seeking information regarding the fire to utilize the numerous agency websites or to dial 311. “The dispatch center is receiving numerous calls requesting updates and we ask that you please do not call dispatch. They are very busy at this time. The latest information can be found on Twitter @NavajoCountyAZ, on Facebook or at the Navajo County website,” he explained. He also stated that evacuees that have no transportation are asked to contact their local police department at their non-emergency number.
Although Highway 60 is closed, highways 72, 260 and 77 remain open at this time. Clark recommended that anyone who may be considering coming up from the Valley through those areas to not do so. “Once an area is evacuated no one will be allowed back in,” he said.
If an evacuation takes place emergency shelters have been established by the Red Cross at Snowflake High School and Round Valley High School, with the Navajo County Fairgrounds in Holbrook and the Taylor Rodeo Grounds in Taylor accepting both large and small pets.
