Hospital Fire

A wildfire is burning on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, about 20 miles northeast of San Carlos & 35 miles northeast of Globe. The Hospital Fire is burning near Hospital Tank. It's currently 1,993 acres and 10% contained. No structures are threatened. However, Road 1400 is closed from Phillips Park to the junction of Roads 1200 & 1500.

The fire is burning in grass, juniper & oak in a remote area where the terrain is rough. The biggest challenges for firefighters are high temperatures, dry conditions & gusty winds. Firefighters are concerned about protecting a timberline & a spring on tribal land.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is working this fire. This includes 110 personnel (3 crews), 6 engines, 2 single engine air tankers (SEAT's) & 1 air attack. A heavy lift helicopter has been ordered, as well as 3 Type 1 hotshot crews.

Today's fire activity: Officials with the Bureau of Indian Affairs say they are concerned about the fire activity on the northwest side of the fire. The fire is on the edge of the canyon, on the east side. It has not crossed the canyon, but it is moving down into the canyon. Right now it is at the canyon's midslope. BIA officials are concerned about the fire causing a chimney effect in the canyon, where the fire will start out low & then move through the canyon & up the canyon quickly.