Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The Pima Gila River wildfire is reportedly contained as of Sunday, yet interior pockets continue to burn hot and produce a lot of smoke.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – A massive wildfire along the Gila River in Pima is reportedly contained as of Sunday.
The human-caused fire began around 3 p.m. on Friday, however, no more details of how it began have been released.
Firefighters fought the blaze and protected two houses Friday, and have been saving many utility poles as well.
The fire is still burning mostly brush in between the Gila River and cotton fields to the south. After raging until late Friday night, the fire re-ignited Saturday, and firefighters battled it back at the Pima Bridge. The fire forced the closure of Bryce/Eden Road.
On Sunday, Pima Fire Chief Scott Howell told the Gila Herald that while active burning was still taking place it was all within the containment lines.
“We are still working to protect power poles and pumps in the burning areas,” he said.
The thick brush gave plenty of fuel left to send massive flames into the air and large plumes of thick, black smoke which then blew toward Thatcher and Safford.
After the blaze tore through an area, a desolate scene of black and gray emerged through the smoke with scarred thickets of brush and ash.
As of 3:30 p.m. firefighters are still on the scene taking care of the blaze.
To view a photo album of day three of the wildfire click here.
