Hospital Fire

A wildfire burning on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, is about 20 miles northeast of San Carlos & 35 miles northeast of Globe.

The Hospital Fire is burning near Hospital Tank. It's approx., 2,000 acres & 30% 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. Firefighters are concerned about protecting a timberline & a spring on tribal land. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is working this fire. This includes 124 personnel (6 crews), 6 engines, 2 single engine air tankers (SEAT's), 1 air attack & 2 helicopters.

Today's fire activity: Officials with the Bureau of Indian Affairs say firefighters are continuing to construct a fireline in the Blue River Canyon to prevent the fire from spreading & creating a chimney effect through the canyon. Helicopters are also dropping water on the area. BIA officials say today's humidity is working in their favor. They hope to demobilize some of their crews later today or tomorrow, & they're hoping for full containment of this fire by tomorrow.

Firefighters are also working 6 more small fires on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation that were caused by lightning. None of these fires are threatening structures or closing roads.