ARIZONA NEWS

Pinery Fire in southeastern Arizona reaches 1,200 acres as growth slows

May 14, 2018, 3:50 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm

(Photo: USFS photo by Sean Cox)...

(Photo: USFS photo by Sean Cox)

(Photo: USFS photo by Sean Cox)

PHOENIX — Growth of a grassfire that began near a mountain range in southeastern Arizona has slowed as crews work to get ahead of the blaze.

The so-called Pinery Fire started around 1:30 p.m. Saturday near South Pinery Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains.

It had grown to 1,200 acres on Sunday.

The slowed growth was attributed to the fire being hung up on cliffs and rocky outcroppings on ridgetops.

Firefighters also have been extinguishing hotspots along the north and northeast portion of the fire.

About 300 personnel, including nine engines, four hotshot crews and two helicopters, were working to control the fire on Monday.

The Chiricahua National Monument and several trails in the Coronado National Forest and campgrounds in the Pinery area have been evacuated. The monument has been closed until further notice.

There have been no structures lost and no injuries have been reported.

The fire was located about 29 miles southeast of Wilcox, Arizona, according to InciWeb.

It started on private land, before spreading north and east onto Chiricahua National Monument and the Coronado National Forest.

It was initially reported at 200 acres, before spreading to 675 acres later Saturday.

Officials believe it was human-caused and are now investigating.

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Pinery Fire in southeastern Arizona reaches 1,200 acres as growth slows