EL CAPITAN, Ariz. — Editor's note: The above video aired during a previous broadcast.
The Telegraph Fire burning in the Tonto National Forest has grown to 180,757 acres and merged with the Mescal Fire burning to the east, according to officials.
Fire officials said Thursday afternoon that containment around the fire was at 95%.
The following communities are under the "READY" order, meaning residents who voluntarily relocated can safely return home:
- Superior
- Globe
- Miami
- Claypool
- Central Heights
- Pinto/Carlotta
- Skill Center
- Fairgrounds
- Schulze Ranch
- Ray Mine
- Top-of-the-World
- Bellevue
- Oak Flat
- Beverly Hills
- Riverside
- Kearny
- Winkelman
- Hayden
- Battle Axe area
- El Capitan
- Six Shooter
- Icehouse Canyons
- Dripping Springs
- Wind Spirit
- Hagen Ranch
- Slash S Ranch
- Government Springs
Officials have also confirmed 42 structures have been destroyed by the fire. Some of the structures were homes.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said crews will continue to patrol and extinguish and remove burning material on the containment line, along Forest Road 651.
Highway 77 is closed from Globe to Winkelman.
Multiple communities in Pinal and Gila counties have been ordered to evacuate or are preparing to evacuate, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Photos from the Telegraph Fire
Photos from the Telegraph Fire
Residents in evacuation areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them when leaving their homes.
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 an 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.
Wildfires in Arizona
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