Watch Fire 100% contained after burning over 2,000 acres in eastern Arizona
SAN CARLOS, AZ (AZFamily) — The Watch Fire is 100% contained after burning 2,162 acres on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
Over 400 people were ordered to evacuate, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe said at least 13 homes were destroyed, leaving 75 people homeless. Officials are investigating arson as the suspected cause of the fire.
Firefighters are continuing to patrol the area around the fire perimeter. Residents are asked to avoid burned structures due to hazardous materials that may have long-term health effects.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are still in place on the reservation.
The following communities have been downgraded from “SET” to “READY” status:
- Lower Seven Mile Wash
- New Moonbase
- San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation
- Farmers Station
- Downtown San Carlos
- Peridot Siding
Arizona’s Family spoke to Sheila Patton, who was among many affected by the devastation last week.
“I lost my house, I lost my cars. I lost my neighbors, everywhere in the neighborhood. It’s just gone. I couldn’t believe this fire took everybody’s house. We don’t know what to do, where we’re going to go now. Just heartbreaking,” said Patton.
Some homeowners were seen searching for their pets, many of whom are still missing.
Aerials of Watch Fire:
“We have endured fires before, but the human scale of this one is particularly devastating,” said San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler. “Unfortunately, multiple families lost homes. It was horrible all the way around. I have received reports of families leaving with nothing, elders having no transportation, kids running with no shoes. We have never experienced anything like this.”
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