Arizona wildfire updates 2024: Man dies from injuries in Bowers Fire; evacuations lifted
After Arizona saw a wet winter, wildfire season appears well underway in April as at least three wildfires ignited in the state.
In 2023, heavy rain and snow delayed the start of fire season, which began in June and led to below-average burn totals in the state. The peak of wildfire season typically occurs between April and early July, but efforts to prepare by forest and fire management take place year-round.
Arizona could see increased fire activity this year. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said heavier winter rains and snow in recent years have doubled the amount of fuel for wildfires in regions of higher risk.
Here is a roundup of Arizona wildfires burning in 2024:
Barnes Fire
(Last updated April 26)
Location: South of Maricopa, along State Route 347 near Warren and Barnes roads in Pinal County.
What we know: Driven by winds, the fire burned through grass and desert vegetation before hitting a road where crews suppressed the fire. There is an air attack involved with no evacuations.
Acreage: 315 acres
Start date: April 25
Containment: 85%
Bowers Fire
(Last updated April 26)
Location: About 9 miles east of Whetstone and near the Babocomari River bed in Cochise County.
What we know: The Bowers Fire killed one person and injured another and forced multiple earlier evacuations. Sanders and Bowers roads were closed to everything but emergency vehicles as fire crews continued fighting the blaze. Evacuation orders were in place for homes within a 2-mile radius of the fire, though it wasn't immediately clear how many homes were affected. The cause of the fire was sparks from a grinder.
Acreage: 28 acres
Start date: April 22
Containment: 100%
Allens Fire
(Last updated April 26)
Location: 19 miles southeast of Florence near the Florence-Kelvin Highway in Pinal County.
What we know: The fire, which officials said was human-caused, broke out on April 23. As of April 24, fire crews stopped the fire's forward progress. Some interior heat remained, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Acreage: 46 acres
Start date: April 23
Containment: 100%
Range Fire
(Last updated April 26)
Location: Near the Arizona National Guard Training Range, 6 miles north of Florence in Pinal County.
What we know: The increased fire activity can be attributed to warmer temperatures and dry conditions in the area. The cause of the Range Fire remained unclear as of April 24 and showed no further smoke and no additional growth, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said.
Acreage: 2,000 acres
Start date: April 20
Containment: 90%
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona wildfire updates: Man dies from injuries in Bowers Fire
