Evacuation order lifted for Pinal County neighborhood as Flood Fire threat diminishes

PHOENIX – Authorities lifted an evacuation order for an area near the Flood Fire in rural Arizona on Thursday night as the threat diminished.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office put the Panther Butte neighborhood in the GO status of the state’s emergency alert system around 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

The status was eased to the SET level around 7:45 p.m. as firefighters gained control of the incident.

The wildfire is burning in southern Pinal County near Palo Verde Ranch and Chief Butte roads west of State Route 79.

Panther Butte is located between Florence and the Tucson area, about 3 miles northwest of Oracle Junction.

How large is the Flood Fire?

The Flood Fire started Wednesday and grew to an estimated 3,000 acres by Thursday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

Wind gusts pushed the wildfire in all directions through dry grass and brush overnight, the agency said.

Crews made good progress throughout the day Thursday and gained 30% containment by evening. The fire consumed an estimated 4,400 acres, according to the latest estimate.

Over 160 personnel were assigned to the incident, with state, local, federal and tribal agencies responding.

Related

Arizona forestry agency allocates $2M to 10 wildfire mitigation projectsWhere Andy Biggs stands on affordability, water, other key issues ahead of 2026 governor’s raceArizona man gets life sentence for fatal shooting in 2024Safe and sound: 83-year-old missing hiker rescued from Grand Canyon’s North RimAndy Biggs responds to question about legitimacy of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ 2022 electionMaking shopping for back-to-school supplies easier for Phoenix-area parents