Fire at 3,294 acres as it burns the interior tamarisk
By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS — The containment lines for the Bryce Fire near Fort Thomas increased during the high winds on Monday and Tuesday, with minimal fire activity seen overnight.
The human-caused fire began just west of Pima on May 7, just before 3:30 p.m. According to Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred, an official cause is still under investigation. It had burned roughly 3,294 acres as of late Tuesday night and was listed at 52 percent containment.
The Pima Fire Department was first on the scene and appeared to have knocked it down. However, high winds and dry fuels soon helped it grow to 50 acres by 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7.
Wildland firefighters battled it through the night and had it at 80 percent containment when it was still only 160 acres. However, high winds Friday morning helped the fire jump 25- to 30-foot containment lines. The winds swept it six miles northwest toward Fort Thomas in one day, placing residents in the “SET” notification for evacuation.
The wind direction changed on Monday, helping to keep northern containment lines. The updated fire activity also led the Graham County Sheriff’s Office to downgrade its “SET” notification for residents in the river corridor and those along the highway between Eden and Fort Thomas to “READY” instead. The bridge at Bryce/Eden Road and River Road in Fort Thomas remains closed.
Firefighters from all over the state converged and fought to save homes, businesses, and other resources. Most of the damage has been to infrastructure such as utilities. While there have been no reports of damaged or destroyed structures, the Eterna Building Systems block plant located just off Highway 70 near Bryce/Eden Road had multiple vehicles, an electric panel box, a service trailer, and other backup systems for the plant burn, resulting in losses up to a possible $200,000. Firefighters kept the flames away from the plant itself, however, and most of the items burned were backup equipment and vehicles saved for future use or sale.
The area is under another Red Flag Warning for high winds on Wednesday. As the day progresses, increased fire activity could result in areas where heavy fuels inhibit firefighter access for mop-up operations.
Engines patrolled the perimeter on Tuesday, checking for possible heat sources along the fire’s edge. Pockets of fuel continue to burn from the fire’s interior, causing visible smoke. As of late Tuesday night, 227 personnel from throughout the state are currently fighting the fire, which is managed by the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Chad Rice.
Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in place for Southeastern Arizona.
