The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has determined that the Kearny River Fire was human caused and suspicious in nature. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues to identify who is responsible for starting the fire.
The fire began in the northwest part of Kearny the morning of June 18. It grew over the next 3 days to burn over 1400 acres before state and local fire resources could get the fire under control. The fire caused up to 300 residents to be under evacuation order in areas threatened by the fast moving fire. The fire burned five structures in Kearny; however, no injuries were reported.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “We believe the fire was started near the livestock corrals in the northwest part of the town. At this point, we have ruled out accidental causes for the Kearny River fire and are now looking at who was seen in the area when the fire started.”
State and local fire crews are still monitoring what little remains of the fire and say it is 100% contained.
If anyone has information about the suspicious origin of the fire, please call the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at 520-866-5111.
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1BPaul Babeu, Sheriff