Some evacuation orders lifted for destructive Telegraph Fire

PHOENIX – Some evacuation orders were lifted Friday morning for the destructive Telegraph Fire, which is still burning south of Globe but is mostly contained, authorities said.

The incident management team said the sixth-largest wildfire in Arizona history had grown to 176,122 acres, with containment at 72%. Thursday evening’s report showed 173,202 acres acres consumed and the same containment percentage.

The blaze has destroyed or damaged 51 structures, including some homes. Nearly 1,000 personnel have been assigned to fight it.

The Telegraph Fire has been spreading eastward since igniting south of Superior on June 4 and has spilled into the boundary of the Mescal Fire, which 100% contained. However, the two fires are being handled and measured as separate incidents.

Gila County Health and Emergency Management lifted evacuation orders Friday morning for El Capitan on both sides of State Route 77.

Evacuation status remains at “GO” for Dripping Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, Slash S Ranch and Government Springs Ranch.

SR 77 is still closed between U.S. 70 and SR 177 because of the fire.

The exact origin hasn’t been determined, but the Telegraph Fire is considered a human-caused incident.

Here are the 10 largest wildfires in Arizona history, as tracked by KTAR News 92.3 FM reporter Jim Cross, as of Wednesday morning:

• 1. Wallow, 2011, 522,000-plus acres (15,407 acres in New Mexico)
• 2. Rodeo-Chediski, 2002, 468,000-plus acres
• 3. Cave Creek Complex, 2005, 243,000-plus acres
• 4. Horseshoe 2, 2011, 222,000-plus acres
• 5. Bush, 2020, 193,000-plus acres
• 6. Telegraph, 2021, 176,122 acres (active)
• 7. Woodbury, 2019, 123,875 acres
• 8. Bighorn, 2020, 119,987 acres
• 9. Willow, 2004, 119,500 acres
• 10. Aspen, 2003, 84,750 acres

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