(Photo by Arthur Gonzales via InciWeb)
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PHOENIX – Evacuations prompted by the Wyrick Fire in the Heber-Overgaard area earlier this week were lifted Thursday morning.
Residents of Antelope Valley, Despain Ranch, and Heber-Overgaard north of State Routes 260 and 277 were told to go and seek refuge on Monday. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office changed the evacuation status from “GO” to “SET” at 6:00 am on Thursday.
Lightning set off the Wyrick Fire in southwest Navajo County, about 7 miles northwest of Heber in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, on Saturday.
It had consumed 7,452 acres by Thursday morning, with a 15% containment. The previous reading, reported Tuesday, was 7,101 with no containment.
Almost 300 people were deployed to fight the Wyrick Fire and the nearby West Chev Fire, which has consumed 400 acres.
Several highways were closed in the area earlier this week, but all of them reopened by Wednesday.
Housing for evacuated residents has been established at Holbrook High School. Cattle and pets could be housed at the Navajo County Fairgrounds.
Most of Arizona National Forests, as well as state trusts and parks outside of registered parishes, have closed or planned closings in response to the increased risk of wildfires.
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