PHOTO: The Toyo Fire in western Graham County has grown to more than 2,000 acres and the Southwest Incident Management Team has assumed command.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe announced the hand-off of responsibility at 6 a.m. Monday. The fire, which started Friday, is 2,050 acres and at about 26-percent containment as of 10 a.m. Monday. Ignition is believed to be human caused.
Two helicopters, four hand crews, five engines and one tanker have been assigned to battle the blaze.
The Tribe also announced that the closure of U.S. Highway 70 due to the fire, initiated Saturday and expected to remain in place for two days, was rescinded after 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the housing communities of Hallelujah Square and La Bumba City, and Route 3 residents were downgraded from “Set” status to “Ready,” meaning the residents were no longer facing the possibility of mandatory evacuation.