Firefighters quench Van Valer Fire on Mount Graham

Photo By U.S. Forest Service Coronado National Forest: The Van Valer Fire on Mount Graham showed no activity Monday.

Photo By U.S. Forest Service Coronado National Forest: The Van Valer Fire on Mount Graham showed no activity Monday.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

MOUNT GRAHAM – The lightning-caused Van Valer Fire erupted below West Peak on Saturday but by Monday afternoon showed no signs of activity.

An immediate response was sent to the fire that included numerous air operations that dropped retardant and water on the blaze and surrounding area even though multiple other starts happened at about the same timeframe.

By 7 p.m. Sunday night, firefighters had a good grip on the roughly 570-acre blaze, which was burning grass and brush.

On Monday, helicopters continued to strengthen fire lines, but no fire activity was shown.