The lightning-caused Sawtooth Fire burning east of Gold Canyon in the Superstition Mountains has burned 21,000 acres and is 8% contained as of early afternoon June 2.
The wildfire, which started …
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Sawtooth Fire burns 21,000 acres, is 8% contained
Posted
Independent Newsmedia
The lightning-caused Sawtooth Fire burning east of Gold Canyon in the Superstition Mountains has burned 21,000 acres and is 8% contained as of early afternoon June 2.
The wildfire, which started May 30, is burning actively in grass and brush near the area of the 2019 Woodbury Fire, two miles northeast of Peralta Trailhead.
“Currently 300 firefighters and overhead support are assigned to the fire, with multiple air resources dropping retardant and water,” the Arizona Emergency Information Network said in a release about the Sawtooth Fire.
Warning notices or evacuations will be coordinated through the Pinal County Sheriff’s office via the Pinal County Emergency Management Office. For more information on the “Ready, Set Go” evacuation and preparedness program, go to ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.
Some Queen Valley residents to vacate homes
A precautionary “Go” status has been issued for limited residents in Queen Valley.
“Over the next few days, firefighters on the Sawtooth Fire will begin back-burning operations as part of structure protection and community safety measures in and around the northeast portion of Queen Valley,” the Arizona Emergency Information Network reported June 2.
“To ensure safety, starting at noon today, residents along Silver King Road and Williams Road in Queen Valley will be placed in precautionary 'Go' status as they are being asked to vacate their homes while these suppression operations take place. At this time, this precautionary 'Go' notification only effects those residents along those two roads,” it states at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6730/51817/.
“Currently, all other residents in Queen Valley and nearby communities are not impacted by this request and need not vacate their residence in support of these firefighting tactics. Should the situation change, residents will be notified by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office,” it states.
Apache Junction, Gold Canyon and Peralta are safe, Superstition Fire and Medical District said on Facebook June 2.
“Sawtooth Fire Update: The fire is now 21,000 acres and there are 328 personnel working on it. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team took over operations at 10 a.m. from the Type 3 team. Alan Sinclair is the incident commander. Apache Junction, Gold Canyon and Peralta are safe,” according to Facebook @sfmd.az.gov.
Portions of Tonto National Forest closed
The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sawtooth Fire. The detailed order can be found on the “closures” tab at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6730/51815 on Tonto National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/tonto by clicking on the “Closure Orders & Restrictions in Effect” link.
