As of Thursday afternoon, the Dog Head Fire had burned 12,000 acres in New Mexico, while Arizona’s Cedar Creek Fire had burned an estimated 8,000 acres.
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That 2002 fire was one of the worst in Arizona’s history, burning more than 730 square miles and destroying about 400 homes in Pinedale and other small communities.
Timber Mesa Fire Marshall Kirk Webb said the 911 emergency system is being overloaded with calls asking about the Cedar Creek Fire.
No structures are immediately threatened and authorities say no evacuations have been ordered yet. Aircraft also are dropping retardant and water. However, persons living in areas where fires are likely should always have a fire evacuation kit on hand. The junction is south of Show Low. It is now 16 miles outside of the city.
The trigger points for evacuation are 9 miles away from Show Low, officials said at a briefing Thursday.
Communities under pre-evacuation advisories include Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside, but only a few homes have been evacuated so far.
UPDATE: The Show Low Police Department has sent out an alert indicating the fire is about 20 miles outside of Show Low near Highway 60.
The fire is now at 100 acres and located just north of Highways 72 and 60, about 50 miles south of Show Low and on the east side of United States 60.
Officials said both directions of U.S. 60 have been shut down from mile post 318 to 337.
According to officials, the fire started at noon, but by 4:30 p.m the fire had grown 2.500 acres and has been classified as a Type 1 fire which indicates the highest risk.
Officials said crews are working to mop up the areas around the fire and will monitor for any hot spots.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
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According to Curt Rogers, fire chief at the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department, smoke from the Dog Head Fire in New Mexico, as well as the Cedar Creek Fire in Arizona, is drifting into Colorado and causing visibility issues.
