Fire in Peridot destroys homes, burns over 1100 acres

The Watch Fire was initially reported around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10th. By Thursday morning, people were “aware of the fire in the river bottom”, but it seemed no more than a brush fire and one that seemed to move “east into the hills across the river,” so few were concerned at first. 

 And then the winds came, brought on by a late afternoon storm. They seemed to “pull the fire forward before pushing it toward the populated areas.” It quickly grew from a brush fire to a monster with flames shooting above treetops. With zero containment and the acreage now at 500 plus, TERC gave evacuation orders for Peridot Heights, TC Alley, China Town, and Old/New Moonbase. An evacuation shelter was set up at the Michael Noline Activity Center in Peridot and the Peridot Rodeo grounds.

 The local radio station, Kyay, reported seeing flames near the station yet stayed on the air to broadcast emergency notices.

According to incident command, “fire managers ordered a Type 3 IMT but changed that to an order for Southwest CIMT Team 2 two hours later…Four large air tankers and Coman’s vintage S-61A Type 1 helicopter also worked the fire. 

One woman says her father did not want to leave, even though he could see the flames from his window. Another man says he could see the fire approaching, but the roads were packed, and the smoke was dense, making leaving the area hard. He chose to stay and fight, fighting it with water from his hoses, but then got help from the water takers, who arrived in time to save his property. 

Donation centers have been set up at the following locations (listed below)  and many unofficial locations set up by local businesses like Molina’s in Globe, have also set up to quickly to funnel donations to San Carlos. 

The Apache Gold Casino is housing family members who lost their homes and dozens more who suffer from asthma and other conditions brought on by the fire.

There is a donation center in the lobby of the hotel for drop-offs. 

San Carlos Animal Control reported that an emergency animal hospital is set up at the casino. People who have injured animals due to the fire and need transportation could contact GART or Animal Control.

St. Charles Warehouse opened this morning at 7 am for those needing clothing. They have clothing for adults, teens and children for those who have lost their homes. For those donating clean clothes and food items, you can deliver them directly to St. Charges Church or drop them off at the Holy Angels Parish Office in Globe. San Carlos Healthcare Warehouse building in Peridot (Staff onsite from 8am – 4:30pm) over the weekend)

According to incident command, the main donation and command center is at the San Carlos High School. 

Donation Locations garnered from FB sources: (Thank you Sonia and GlobeAzMainstreet). 

 

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The San Carlos Police Department is conducting an investigation and asks anyone with information to contact them at (928)475-23-11 or TIP411.  (https://www.tip411.com/tips/sancarlosazpd/new) 

 

*Updates to follow