Range Fire burns 1,000+ acres in Pinal County

FLORENCE, AZ (AZFamily) — A wildfire continues to burn outside of a small Pinal County town this weekend.

According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the Range Fire started on Saturday and has burned 1,183 acres near the Arizona National Guard Weapons Training Range along State Route 79, just outside of Florence.

In an update on Sunday evening, officials said that warm weather has increased fire activity and pushed it east off the Arizona National Guard Training Range onto State Trust lands.

The fire was 85% contained as of 8 p.m. Sunday and will continue to be monitored by aircraft.

Officials said that due to safety reasons, crews had to wait for the fire to come out of the National Guard area before they could fight the flames.

The Range Fire has burned 1,000 acres near the Arizona National Guard Weapons Training Range... — The Range Fire has burned 1,000 acres near the Arizona National Guard Weapons Training Range along State Route 79, just outside of Florence.(Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management)

The department says 54 people are working to put out the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Sunday Evening #RangeFire Update: Warm temps increased fire activity & pushed fire to E off AZ National Guard Training Range onto State Trust lands.

2 Single Engine Air Tankers launched to slow fire’s forward progress. Fire mapped by air at 1,183 ac. It is 85% contained. Fire… pic.twitter.com/FdlJdTw3IK
— AZ Dept. Forestry and Fire Management (@azstateforestry) April 22, 2024

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