The Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with local fire cooperators, stopped a wildfire burning five miles west of Eagar and one-half mile from the Springerville Airport.
The Transfer Station Fire was discovered around 12:30 p.m., Thursday, October 19. The fire is estimated to be around 2,500 acres and is moving through mostly grass and some juniper and pinyon fuels. The fire had forced the evacuation of a nearby laminating and wood facility and threatened a transfer station in the area.
Apache County Supervisor Doyel Shamley stated that he was “immensely proud of the DPS, Apache County Deputies, Forestry and Fire District staff from throughout his district for their quick and professional response, protecting lives, infrastructure and businesses. And although fire can erupt in almost anyplace at anytime, this incident also illustrates the importance of proactive lands management to create economy while avoiding catastrophic fire events”.
More than 50 firefighters worked to stop the fire’s movement, including crews from AZ State Forestry, Eagar, Springerville, Alpine, Greer, Vernon and St. Johns Fire Departments.