5:45 PM
The Gold Fire, located 4 miles ENE of White River was discovered today, and has grown to 15-20 acres. Fire Crews have begun aggressive fire suppression on the fire. Smoke will be visible from Pinetop/Lakeside and other Rim communities. Updates will be posted when they become available to us.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the 19 members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hot Shots crew that perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire today. The fire stared Friday and grew from 4 to 2,000 acres today and is located is in Yavapai County approximately 85 miles northwest of Phoenix. Details are still coming in but it appears the firefighters had to deploy their fire shelters and were overcome by the fire. It appears that this fire was started by lightning. This tragedy is now the deadliest fire in the last 30 years in the United States.
Our hearts go out to everyone involved in the Yarnell Hill Fire.
Heavy smoke is visible in both Apache & Navajo County. This smoke is from both the Silver Fire in New Mexico which is at 92,000 acres and 20% contained, and the Creek Fire on the San Carlos Apache Reservation North West of Point of Pines and West of Dry Lake. This fire has burned 16,200 acres and is 80% contained.