Photo Courtesy San Carlos Apache Forest Resources Program – Forestry: The Top Fire is burning brush on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. As of Thursday morning it was listed at 50 percent containment, having burned about 3,292 acres.
By Jon Johnson
SAN CARLOS APACHE RESERVATION – Fire crews are mopping up and securing the perimeter of the Top Fire burning on the San Carlos Apache Reservation near Route 6, East of Skill Center in the rocky hills.
The fire was discovered on June 8 and has been listed as being human-caused. As of Wednesday evening, it was listed at 50 percent containment, having burned about 3,292 acres. It is the fourth large wildfire on the reservation this season, with the Toyo Fire causing the closure of Highway 70 in May.
There are no road closures for the Top Fire, however, fire crews continue to mop up along 822 Road with fire traffic on Route 6. Resources currently assigned include five Type-6 engines, three Type-3 engines, one aircraft (San Carlos 1 Type-2 IA SWFF), one fire module, one fire-use crew, and one water tender.
Smoke may be visible in North of Skill Center along Route 6. Due to the fire activity, no burning permits will be issued from the San Carlos Forestry Office and no burning will be allowed until further notice.
Firefighters continue to deal with the wildfire through intense heat. An extreme heat warning has been issued for the area, and heat shelters are available on the San Carlos Apache Reservation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday, June 14, at Seven Mile Wash Activity Center, Noline Community Building in Peridot, and Stanley Hall in Bylas. Anyone who needs a ride can call the San Carlos Transit at (928) 961-6259.
