Gila Herald Staff Reports
GLOBE — A human-caused wildfire briefly disrupted traffic and mobilized multiple firefighting agencies along State Route 77 on Monday before crews successfully brought it to full containment overnight.
The Baldy Fire, which ignited roughly 11 miles south of Globe, was sparked by a motor vehicle accident on Monday afternoon.
Swift Initial Response
Upon its initial discovery, the fire was estimated at 5 acres and was actively burning and running uphill through desert vegetation. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) immediately took command of the incident and executed a full suppression strategy.
Initial resources deployed to the scene included:
- A DFFM Type 2 handcrew
- Multiple engines from surrounding local fire departments
- Miscellaneous overhead personnel
- Air Attack and Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) ordered to support from above
The fast-moving flames and proximity to the highway forced officials to close SR 77 in both directions between mileposts 154 and 166 on Monday, severely impacting travel between Globe and the Gila Valley.
Overnight Containment and Final Mapping
Firefighters worked late into Monday night, capitalizing on dropping temperatures to quickly secure the fire’s edge. Thanks to the coordinated push between ground crews, local engines, and aerial support, resources successfully achieved 100% containment by Tuesday morning.
While interior vegetation continued to smolder and burn overnight, fire officials confirmed that the activity did not threaten the established containment lines. Though GPS mapping later calculated the final fire perimeter footprint at 13 acres, firefighters patrolling the area Tuesday morning estimated the actual active interior burn acreage at roughly 5 acres.
Current Road Status and Safety Advisory
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has since reopened SR 77, though travel restrictions remain in place.
Travel Alert: Drivers should expect delays. The southbound lane is subject to intermittent closures, with alternating traffic currently being managed on-scene by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and ADOT.
Crews remain on-site Tuesday morning to patrol the perimeter, monitor hot spots, and conduct mop-up operations. Motorists traveling through the area are strictly advised to slow down, remain alert, and watch for emergency personnel and equipment working along the shoulder.
DFFM stated that Tuesday morning’s status report is the final official update on the Baldy Fire. No injuries or structural damage have been reported from the incident.
