KEARNY, Ariz. — Three fires burning near Kearny have caused evacuations and temporarily shut down roadways.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office had lifted evacuation orders on Wednesday.
The Ray Fire started first on Tuesday and residents north of Shake Drive near Kearny have been instructed to evacuate. According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the fire has burned 110 acres and was 50% contained as of Wednesday. Forward progress has been stopped on this fire, officials said.
The Shake Fire is two fires being managed as one, officials said. Aircraft reported the fire to be around 110 acres and the fire has slopped over the retardant line, Tiffany Davila, spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said.
Aircraft were grounded due to weather conditions, Davila said, but more single-engine air tankers have been ordered to help fight the fire as the windy conditions settle. Some structures in the area are threatened, Davila said.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Se les pide a los residentes que viven cerca de Kearny que evacuen mientras los equipos buscan sofocar el incendio Ray
PCSO said the Kearny Elementary cafeteria was designated as an evacuation location.
Before evacuation orders were cleared for about two dozen homes north of Shake Drive, multiple homeowners were seen outside loading up what they could in the back of their cars and leaving.
Tracon Naranjo was one of them. He said hours earlier a police officer driving an ATV and telling people to evacuate.
“He was telling us we’re on 'Go' status and we need to get all the guns and pictures out and get out as quick as possible,” Naranjo said.
A few homes closer to the fire, Emiley Rutter was seen on the roof with a hose in hand. She sprayed water all over the top of the home and the yard as several white smoke plumes could be seen off in the distance.
“Just making sure it doesn’t get my nana’s house,” she said talking about the fire.
Rutter said she saw the smoke on her way to work that morning when she turned back toward town. While evacuation orders were not issued at that time, she wanted to do what she could to help in case the worst case scenario happened.
Including getting her loved one's prized possession.
"My nana's Mustang," she said. “Can’t lose that beauty.”
Evacuating from wildfires is nothing new for those in this neighborhood. Naranjo said they had to leave four other times before Tuesday.
“We know the drill," Naranjo said.
The Simmons fire that sparked back in May destroyed multiple homes in Kearny and forced hundreds to evacuate.
Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them of they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
- Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
- Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.
Those in Arizona who have been affected by a wildfire or other natural disasters can seek assistance from the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-842-7349.
