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Local wildfire is contained - First substantial wildfire of the
year burns 1,500 acres near Sierra Vista PALOMINAS, AZ- The first major wildfire of the year grew from 1,000 acres Sunday to nearly 1,500 today, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He added that the fire was contained around 10 p.m. Sunday. Winds this afternoon are expected to reach as high as 30 mph and are a concern for those fighting the fire, David Peters said. The blaze is along the San Pedro River and its riparian area, he said this morning. "It's on both sides of the river." The fire was apparently started by an illegal immigrant, Peters said, adding the assumption of the cause was based on a U.S. Border Patrol agent spotting an illegal entrant and seeing a fire in the area where the individual was standing. The agent chased the illegal immigrant, did not catch him and when he returned to the site "the fire was growing and it was too late to put it out," Peters said. The Border Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Cochise County Sheriff's Office and Palominas Volunteer Fire Department are assisting BLM, he said. Sunday, 65 firefighters, 11 engines and two water tenders were being used, Peters said, adding today crews are working on hot spots. A burn out was done Sunday to protect a dozen structures near the fire, he said. None of the structures were in immediate danger but the burn out - 100 feet wide and a half-mile long - ensured the fire would have no fuel in case winds drove the blaze toward the homes, Peters said. It will still take several days to completely control the fire, Peters said. Today's wind forecast from noon to 7 p.m. is not good, he added.
"It's a matter of wind and weather." |