ARIZONA NEWS

Residents in Woodbury Fire’s path notified of potential evacuation

Jun 19, 2019, 6:12 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2019, 10:50 pm
(Inciweb Photo)...
(Inciweb Photo)
(Inciweb Photo)

PHOENIX – Officials on Wednesday issued a warning for Roosevelt Lake-area residents, suggesting voluntary evacuations as the Woodbury Fire creeps closer.

Gila County Division of Health of Emergency Management announced a “Set” notification, which is the second step of the Arizona Emergency Information Network’s Ready, Set, Go wildland fire action plan.

The notification level indicates significant danger in the area with the following warnings:

  • Residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area.
  • Grab your emergency go kit.
  • Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.
  • Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety officials.
  • This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

The “Go” step, if warranted, would include evacuation orders. The blaze was 41 percent contained early Thursday, but residents still could be asked to leave.

Also on Wednesday, the Roosevelt Lake Marina said it was closing through at least Friday.

Gila County officials said the blaze near Superior was still 11 miles from the Roosevelt area to the west of the lake, but low humidity, high temperatures and increased winds have the potential to push along fire activity in the coming days.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the human-caused fire had consumed more than 44,000 acres since starting June 8 and was 15% contained. More than 780 firefighter were working to keep it under control.

The Woodbury Fire has yet to damage any structures or result in any evacuations.

A 40-mile stretch of State Route 88 between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Lake has been closed since Friday.

The road is closed from Weavers Needle Vista Viewpoint, 2 miles northeast of Apache Junction, to S.R. 188, which runs along the west side of the lake.

On Saturday, the U.S. Forest Service implemented fire restrictions for the entire Tonto National Forest until the Woodbury Fire is no longer a threat.

The restrictions include fires, campfires or charcoal-burning devices outside campsites’ metal fire rings and pedestal grills, the Forest Service said in a press release.

Residents can sign up here for emergency notifications from Gila County.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

(Joe Barreras Photo) (Joe Barreras Photo) (Joe Barreras Photo) (Joe Barreras Photo) (Joe Barreras Photo) (Joe Barreras Photo) (Facebook Photo/Pinetop Fire District) (Twitter Photo/@docbillygoat) (Twitter Photo/@ClaytonCorey) (Twitter Photo/@docbillygoat) (Twitter Photo/@phxbetty) (Twitter Photo/@phxbetty) (Twitter Photo/@SirlinJohn) The Woodbury Fire as seen from along State Route 188 about 7 miles east of Roosevelt on June 20, 2019. (Twitter Photo/@ArizonaDOT) (Twitter Photo/@AZFireAuthority) The Woodbury Fire from the Roosevelt Dam on June 20, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Duby via Twitter/@ArizonaDOT) The Woodbury Fire as seen from milepost 245 on State Route 188 on June 20, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Duby via Twitter/@ArizonaDOT) The Woodbury Fire as seen from milepost 245 on State Route 188 on June 20, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Duby via Twitter/@ArizonaDOT) (Twitter Photo/@TontoForest) (Twitter Photo/@TontoForest) (Twitter Photo/@ArizonaDOT) (Instagram Photo/@una_photobomber) (Twitter Photo/@azstateforestry) (Instagram Photo/@candice.hesson) (Facebook Photo/Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical) (Instagram Photo/@gyroscopic_life) (InciWeb Photo) (InciWeb Photo) (Facebook Photo/Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical) (Facebook Photo/Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical) (Inciweb Photos) (Twitter Photo/@bencarmitchel) (Twitter Photo/@ArizonaDOT) (KTAR News Photo/Tyler Drake) (Twitter Photo/@ArizonaDOT) (Twitter Photo/@MissStef79) (Instagram Photo/@aimeehikes) (Twitter Photo/@TontoForest) June 12 community meeting (Twitter Photo/@PinalCountyOEM) June 12 community meeting (Twitter Photo/@TontoForest) (Facebook Photo/Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical) (KTAR News Photo/Tyler Drake) (KTAR News Photo/Tyler Drake) (KTAR News Photo/Tyler Drake) (InciWeb Photo) (InciWeb Photo) (Twitter Photo/@kelli_marie78) (InciWeb Photo) (Twitter Photo/@TontoForest) (Twitter photo/@geraldferguson)

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Residents in Woodbury Fire’s path notified of potential evacuation