600-acre Tenderfoot wildfire causes home evacuations closeby in Yarnell, Arizona
People are evacuating their homes near Yarnell, Arizona, following a wildfire breaking out in the Tenderfoot hills.
The #Tenderfoot fire quickly spread to cover 300 acres Wednesday afternoon, according to Phoenix NBC-affiliate KPNX. Later in the evening, officials confirmed it grew to 600 acres, according to ABC-affiliate KNXV.
We're hearing the fire near Yarnell has grown to 300 acres. #12News video via Patrick Bernard, as he evacuates pic.twitter.com/ePlLVPEdfA
— Stacia Naquin (@stacia_naquin) June 9, 2016
JUST IN: Officials confirm #TenderfootFire near Yarnell at 600 acres. https://t.co/XyuOVD7zIx#abc15pic.twitter.com/E8fytznEtq
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) June 9, 2016
Power outages and high temperatures reportedly hampered the firefighters' efforts.
Houses/buildings burning down in #Yarnell. Tenderfoot Fire out of control. Pics from Denise Roggio. #abc15wx#azwxpic.twitter.com/llVtuEIGAu
— Amber Sullins (@AmberSullins) June 9, 2016
“Right now as we speak the fire is coming down over the mountain right in front me,” said Yarnell resident, Patrick Bernard, a miner and father of five, according to KPNX. “There’s a lot of smoke on the east side and it’s burning the top of the mountain right now. It’s coming across the east line of Yarnell, burning across the edge of those houses. And there’s helicopters dropping water.”
Fight from the air right now near Yarnell as flames are growing in area of SR 89 & Mina #12News#TenderfootFirepic.twitter.com/YtO1nX0lV2
— Stacia Naquin (@stacia_naquin) June 9, 2016
The Bureau of Land Management and state fire crews are battling the flames near Yarnell.
Another look at the #Tenderfoot fire in Yarnell from Sky 12 pic.twitter.com/sTfpMeDV1W
— 12 News (@12News) June 9, 2016
Yarnell has a history with destructive wildfires. Three years ago, the Yarnell Hill Fire killed 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots, firefighters in a special wildfire division of the Prescott Fire Department.
The line of flame burned right up to a group of structureshttps://t.co/aGLSUrRkLG
— 12 News (@12News) June 9, 2016
“Conditions in Central Arizona are ripe for fire,” tweeted author Fernando Santos, who has written about fire fighting. “Hot, dry and windy with the #TenderfootFire growing to 400 acres from 25 acres in past two hours.”
"Thank you, Lord!" ~ evacuated Yarnell residents watch as the firefight continues to protect their homes. #12Newspic.twitter.com/WK7Y6UJAQV
— Stacia Naquin (@stacia_naquin) June 9, 2016
The official population of Yarnell was 649, at the time of the 2010 census.
Fast work by air support working #TenderfootFire! Sky 12 shows retardant line protecting homes #12news#azwx#azfirepic.twitter.com/dLThicgrw8
— Matthew Pace (@DrMatt12News) June 9, 2016
The town's economy is based on ranching, mining and services to travelers and retirees.
Sky 12 shows active flame from #TenderfootFire very close to houses on the SE side of #Yarnell#12news#azwx#azfirepic.twitter.com/aWRvanjzDc
— Matthew Pace (@DrMatt12News) June 9, 2016
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office posted a notice stating that the fire is currently concentrated on the east side of Yarnell, which is under mandatory evacuation.
Red Cross setting up relief center at Yavapai College, as they await bus loads of evacuees from #TenderfootFire. pic.twitter.com/BCbsUeVtJO
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) June 9, 2016
Officials also confirmed that one building has been burned, but no injuries have been reported.
Video of helicopter fighting #TenderfootFire near #Yarnellpic.twitter.com/aLYveeQGg8
— Carter Nacke (@carternacke) June 9, 2016
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Shelter is being provided by Yavapai College in the city of Prescott, with over 200 evacuees heading there with services provided by the Red Cross.
Plane drops slurry (a fire-retardant mixture of mostly water and fertilizer) on Yarnell firehttps://t.co/tG5xNSWQ9x
— 12 News (@12News) June 9, 2016
Over 1,000 people are without electricity, according to Phoenix Fox-affiliate KSAZ.
Red Cross setting up relief center at Yavapai College, as they await bus loads of evacuees from #TenderfootFire. https://t.co/N4AayMTUWG
— U.S. Fire Aviation (@USWFAMEDIA) June 9, 2016
Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona tweeted that he was praying for the community, stressing that wildfires and water are top environmental issues in the state.
Wildfire & water are top environmental issues for #AZ in 21st century - we must do more to support firefighters & thin our forests
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 9, 2016
ArizonaNewsnet: Most recent weather observation near Yarnell: #TenderfootFire#azwxpic.twitter.com/So6fHZjVqu
— Benjamine Brickman (@engenu_IT) June 9, 2016
The Bureau of Land Management reported that firefighting aircraft have laid down a line of fire retardant around the east side of Yarnell to try to protect the town.
As night falls.
As night falls, fire burns hillsides. DC10 makes another drop. #TenderfootFire#Yarnellhttps://t.co/RCsNSZJBQJpic.twitter.com/UUdIlUncOX
— The Daily Courier (@TheDailyCourier) June 9, 2016