Dual wildfires northeast of Yuma 100% contained
YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — Fire crews were able to contain two wildfires that broke out Tuesday night northeast of Yuma.
The Cattle Fire started on Tuesday night close to Fort Yuma Riviera, about 11 miles northeast of Yuma. As of Monday evening, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management says 48 acres have burned on the Arizona side of the Colorado River bottom and that forward progress was stopped overnight.
The Cattle Fire is 100% contained at 48 acres as of 7 p.m. Monday.
About an hour after the Cattle Fire started, a second fire was spotted about a half mile due south. The Ranch Fire is estimated to be 65 acres and is burning near RV and mobile home parks. As of 7 p.m. Monday, it’s 100% contained.
About 35 residents of one RV park were evacuated as the fire inched closer to their homes. A temporary evacuation center was set up at Paradise Casino on Quecham Drive in Yuma. Evacuations were lifted around 5 p.m.
Jeffrey Gallivan with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said one building sustained damage, but none were lost.
He said it’s unusual to be battling this many fires in January but attributes it to the dry conditions.
“This is kinda a rare event to have a team in Payson in the timber and then now the river bottom fire in Yuma so we’re across Arizona fighting fire,” he said.
He said the winds have been impacting their ability to contain the fire.
“Today is kinda the worst day with approximately 35-30 miles per hour winds. We had a few gusts above 40 miles last night as we were trying to protect the community,” Gallivan said.
Fire crews from Yuma, Imperial County, and across Arizona are helping contain the fire.
“Once we bump up containment, we can start talking about turning the power back on and releasing our evacuations and getting people back home,” said Gallivan.
According to officials, the Cattle Fire was caused by humans and is being investigated by the Yuma County Sheriff’s Department.
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