Several lightning-caused fires spread across the landscape in close proximity to communities around Globe-Miami, San Carlos and along Highway 60 north of Globe in the last two weeks.
Despite the dash and splash of recent monsoon rains, the lighting comes first. It is often the catalyst for wildfires in Arizona and the Southwest.
The status of multiple fires still burning, and some near containment, are as follows:
The Griffin Fire, a product of the merging of the Gin and Griffin Fire, was reported at over 33,000 acres on Monday. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the fire had almost doubled in size, burning 60,075 acres with a slight backslide to 28% containment.
The fire caused multiple closures of U.S. Highway 60 which remains closed from mileposts 251 to 318 as of Thursday morning. This is the portion of U.S. 60 from Globe to the State Route 73 junction, near the Fort Apache Reservation. Indian Route 6 and Road 1300 and 900 on the San Carlos Indian Reservation are also closed.