Control transferring back to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS — The Bryce Fire appears safely contained in the Gila River riverbed and does not threaten structures.
As of early Friday morning, the human-caused fire was listed at 78 percent containment with no increase in size from its previously reported 3,294 acres late Tuesday night. No official cause of the fire has yet been released.
Natural gas companies continue to repair infrastructure damaged by the fire, including along the bridge on Bryce/Eden Road. Reportedly, the plan is to bury the gas line under the river to avoid fire damage in the future.
There still may be smoke visible from the fire as interior pockets of tamarisk and other dry fuels burn and crews continue to mop up the perimeter.
The fire began just west of Pima on May 7, just before 3:30 p.m. Twice, it seemed thwarted, but it returned tenfold.
The Pima Fire Department was first on the scene and appeared to have it knocked down. However, high winds and dry fuels soon helped it grow to 50 acres by 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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.
On Saturday, the Arizona Department of Fire Management transferred command to the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.
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.
On Friday, May 16, the fire was transferred back to the command of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management as a Type 4 incident as firefighters continued to mop up its perimeter. As of Friday morning, 147 personnel were still assigned to the fire.
Greer Fire
More than 441 personnel are currently fighting the Greer Fire, which was listed at more than 9,500 acres as of early Thursday night and had 0 percent containment.
The wind-swept fire began mid-morning Tuesday, May 13, and has destroyed multiple structures and forced the evacuation of Greer, South Fork, and other nearby residents. A “SET” notification was given for some Eagar residents and others in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Watch a wildfire update on the Greer Fire on YouTube here.
