Watch Fire
{{Short description|2024 wildfire in Arizona}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox wildfire|date={{Unbulleted list|{{Start date|2024|07|10}} – |{{End date|2024|07|17}}}}|area={{convert|2162|acre|ha sqmi km2|0}}|fatalities=0|injuries=0|percent_contained=100%|cause=Suspected arson|year=2024|season_name=2024 Arizona wildfires|season_year=2024 Arizona wildfires|is_season=2024 Arizona wildfires|season=2024 Arizona wildfires|structures=21 homes, 13 structures|image=Watchfiremap.jpg|caption=Map of the Watch Fire (left) and Buckhorn Fire (right)}}
The 2024 Watch Fire was a destructive wildfire that burned 2,162 acres across Gila and Graham counties, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. The fire began on July 10, and was declared 100% contained by July 17. It was the 9th fire to burn more than 2,000 acres as part of the 2024 Arizona wildfire season.
Progression
The fire started on July 10, from human causes.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title={{!}} InciWeb |url=https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azsca-watch-fire |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=inciweb.wildfire.gov |language=en}} By July 15, the fire had reached 2,162 acres in size along tribal lands in Gila and Graham counties.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-15 |title=FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Watch Fire {{!}} FEMA.gov |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240729/fema-fire-management-assistance-granted-watch-fire |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}} On July 16, containment on the fire was declared to be at 81%, and 185 crews were assigned to the fire.{{Cite web |title=Watch Fire 81 Percent Contained |url=https://ein.az.gov/emergency-information/emergency-bulletin/watch-fire-81-percent-contained |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=ein.az.gov}} By July 17, containment on the fire had reached 100%, and SET alerts remained in place for multiple areas near the fire.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=Single Publication {{!}} InciWeb |url=https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/azsca-watch-fire/watch-fire-update-wednesday-07-17-2024 |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=inciweb.wildfire.gov |language=en}} In ll, the fire destroyed an estimated 21 homes and 13 non-occupied structures in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation area.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Kenneth |date=2024-07-24 |title=Watch Fire: San Carlos tribal member accused of starting wildfire |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/watch-fire-san-carlos-tribal-member-accused-starting-wildfire |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=FOX 10 Phoenix |language=en-US}}
Aftermath
= Cause =
The fire was believed to have been started as a result of arson in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation area. A tribe member, Keanu Dude, was arrested and accused of lighting the fire.
See also
- Wildfires in the United States during 2024
- Park Fire, a large wildfire in California the same year
- Adams Fire
- Wildcat Fire