The 2024 Watch Fire was a destructive wildfire that burned 2,162 acres across Gila and Graham counties, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. The fire began on July 10, and was declared 100% contained by July 17. It was the 9th fire to burn more than 2,000 acres as part of the 2024 Arizona wildfire season.
| Watch Fire | |
|---|---|
 Map of the Watch Fire (left) and Buckhorn Fire (right) | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Statistics | |
| Perimeter | 100% contained |
| Burned area | 2,162 acres (875 ha; 3 sq mi; 9 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
| Structures destroyed | 21 homes, 13 structures |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Suspected arson |
Progression
editThe fire started on July 10, from human causes.[1] By July 15, the fire had reached 2,162 acres in size along tribal lands in Gila and Graham counties.[2] On July 16, containment on the fire was declared to be at 81%, and 185 crews were assigned to the fire.[3] By July 17, containment on the fire had reached 100%, and SET alerts remained in place for multiple areas near the fire.[4] In ll, the fire destroyed an estimated 21 homes and 13 non-occupied structures in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation area.[5]
Aftermath
editCause
editThe fire was believed to have been started as a result of arson in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation area. A tribe member, Keanu Dude, was arrested and accused of lighting the fire.[5]
See also
edit- Wildfires in the United States during 2024
- Park Fire, a large wildfire in California the same year
- Adams Fire
- Wildcat Fire
References
edit- ^ "| InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ "FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Watch Fire | FEMA.gov". www.fema.gov. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ "Watch Fire 81 Percent Contained | Arizona Emergency information Network". ein.az.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ a b Wong, Kenneth (2024-07-24). "Watch Fire: San Carlos tribal member accused of starting wildfire". FOX 10 Phoenix. Retrieved 2024-08-23.