06/16/2016, 9:20am
Overnight, fire crews conducted back burn operations and were able to gain some containment over the Cedar Creek Fire, due to decreased wind activity. However, as of now, the fire has covered approximately 5,279 acres and is approximately 8 miles south of Pinetop. Additional fire resources, including heavy air tankers, have been requested and are mobilizing. A Type One Incident Command Team is on-scene and will take command of the incident at 6:00pm this evening.
As of now, the Show Low, Pinetop, and Lakeside areas are still under PRE-evacuation notice. Residents in those areas are urged to prepare, in the event of an evacuation, as this situation can change rapidly. If an evacuation is placed into effect, the evacuation routes will be via Highway 77 north towards Snowflake, Highway 260 west towards Heber or east towards Springerville depending on location, and Highway 60 East towards Springerville. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is working closely with the Arizona Department of Transportation to keep those routes open in the event of an evacuation.
According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature for the area is forecasted to be 83 degrees, with low humidity, and with winds out of the southwest at 13 to 18 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 30 miles per hour.