7/24/23

Firefighters are dealing with two separate wildfires in the Tri-City area. The Grapevine Fire started on Friday on the south side of Mingus Mountain and has burned 140 acres. Luckily the fire is moving slowly through an area of dead and down fuel. The Racetrack Fire, however, has forced the evacuation of the community of Cherry off Highway 169. Residents were sent to the Camp Verde gym, which was set up as an evacuation shelter. Arizona Downs on Highway 89A is being used as a shelter for barn animals. The Racetrack Fire has burned nearly 500 acres. Both the Grapevine Fire and Racetrack Fire were caused by lightning.

***Photo of Racetrack Fire from U.S. Forest Service