Topock Fire engulfs part of Arizona-California border in flames, smoke
Apr 6, 2016, 6:20 PM | Updated: Apr 7, 2016, 12:48 pm
(Twitter Photo/@SBCOUNTYFIRE)
(Twitter Photo/@SBCOUNTYFIRE)
PHOENIX — A wildfire burning on the Arizona-California border is so big it has been given two names.
The Topock Fire — also known as the Pirate Fire on the California side — grew to about 2,200 acres on Thursday. By Thursday morning the fire was 40 percent contained.
#TopockFire Update: 1,438ac; Resources making good progress. Expect smoke to settle across the Valley and downriver tonight #AZFire #CAFire
— BLM Arizona Fire (@BLMAZFire) April 7, 2016
The fire started in the Topock National Refuge, a wildlife refuge on the Arizona side of the border. It is located about 40 miles south of Bullhead City. It was reported at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Two RV parks evacuated for #TopockFire burning near Lake Havasu, cause is suspicious, visibility on I-40 reduced pic.twitter.com/xaTzByuIYu
— Hans Pedersen (@HansP10) April 6, 2016
One structure, a bar on the California side, has been damaged by the fire.
The Arizona chapter of the Bureau of Land Management said it had one airtanker, two helicopters, one bulldozer, one boat and 120 firefighters working the fire on Wednesday.
The San Bernardino County Fire District had similar equipment in place.
#PirateFire:(Update) @sbcountysheriff #AR06 over scene,1Eng,5 BE,1 Patrol,2WT, 2Helo, 2crews, 2Dozers,1Boat assigned pic.twitter.com/EQmjaTjN4S
— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) April 6, 2016
The fire was considered active on Wednesday. Winds from the north were pushing the blaze to the south.
#TopockFire Video provided by @SBCOUNTYFIRE Winds and thick brush driving fire activity. #AZFire #CAFire pic.twitter.com/tWGDoJMLOO
— BLM Arizona Fire (@BLMAZFire) April 6, 2016
Park Moabi Road was closed at Interstate 40 while crews fought the fire. According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network, drivers along the interstate might encounter reduced viability.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Dolores Garcia said no injuries have been reported, but both Pirates Cove and Moabi Resort RV parks have been evacuated.
Topock Fire has burned 1,200 acres. Mandatory evacuations for Pirates Cove and Moabi Resort. #12News #Topockfire pic.twitter.com/eDKk3DzDd9
— Kevin Kennedy (@AZNEWSKEVIN) April 6, 2016
The cause is unknown, but Mohave Valley Fire District Fire Chief Ted Martin said investigators are considering the fire suspicious in nature.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
