Evacuations issued near Arizona-Mexico border as fire grows past 10,000 acres, no containment
May 9, 2022, 10:00 AM | Updated: 10:57 am
(Twitter Photo/@azstateforestry)
(Twitter Photo/@azstateforestry)
PHOENIX — A wildfire near the Arizona-Mexico border has burned 10,562 acres with no containment on Monday morning, authorities said.
The San Rafael Fire started Saturday night and is located 22 miles southeast of Patagonia within the San Rafael State Natural Area, according to InciWeb.
Evacuations were issued for the San Rafael Valley and residences on Canelo Pass Road and Canelo Road, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said in a press release.
A secondary structure has been destroyed by the wildfire, authorities said.
A shelter was opened at the United Methodist Community Church at 387 McKeown Avenue.
State Route 83 northbound at the Cochise-Santa Cruz County line at milepost 10 has been closed.
Multiple hand crews and engines are fighting the fire, authorities said, along with single-engine air tankers, very large air tankers, a large air tanker and helicopters.
The wildfire at noon on Sunday was transitioned to a Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
No additional information was available.
