ARIZONA NEWS
Here’s the latest on Arizona’s Mescal, Telegraph and Slate fires
This story was updated for the last time the morning of June 15. Click here for our latest coverage of Arizona’s wildfires.
PHOENIX – Three ongoing wildfires have consumed more than 200,000 acres and led to evacuations and road closures in central and northern Arizona.
Here’s the latest on the status and impact of the Mescal and Telegraph fires east of the Phoenix area and the Slate Fire north of Flagstaff:
Mescal Fire
The Mescal Fire started June 1 about 12 miles southeast of Globe in Gila County. The cause remains under investigation.
With no size increase in four days, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team issued its final daily update Monday morning, barring significant developments. The fire had consumed 72,250 acres with 88% containment.
Telegraph Fire
The Telegraph Fire has been burning an area south and east of Superior across the Pinal and Gila County line since June 4 and has become the seventh-largest wildfire in state history. The exact origin of the fire hasn’t been determined, but it’s being investigated as a human-caused incident.
As of Tuesday morning, it had consumed 123,078 acres and burned 22 structures, and was 68% contained, authorities said, with more than 1,000 personnel assigned. That was an overnight increase of nearly 20,000 acres.
Evacuation orders are active for El Capitan on both sides of State Route 77, Dripping Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, Slash S Ranch, Government Springs Ranch and Beverly Hills.
SR 77 is closed between U.S. 70 and SR 177.
Slate Fire
The Slate Fire was detected June 7 about 20 miles northwest of Flagstaff, west of U.S. 180. The cause remains under investigation.
By Monday morning it had consumed 10,677 acres with 23% containment, authorities said, with about 140 personnel assigned. In the previous report, released Saturday morning, the size was 6,587 acres with 20% containment.
U.S. 180 between mileposts 235 and 248 reopened Monday evening, with the speed limit reduced to 35 mph until further notice, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
