Blazing Freeman Fire in Pinal County Expands to 32,568 Acres

Authorities have successfully contained the Freeman Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. — The wildfire, ignited by lightning strikes, had started burning in the Black Mountains on July 11, affecting areas southwest of Dudleyville and northwest of Oracle.

The fire initially sparked around 5 p.m., with one strike near Oak Well and another about a mile away. These two separate fires merged into a larger blaze.

A wind storm at approximately 10 p.m. on July 11 caused the flames to spread rapidly, escalating the danger.

For comprehensive updates on active wildfires in Arizona, visit 12news.com/wildfires.

Key updates concerning the Freeman Fire:

• The fire has been fully contained as of July 18, covering 32,568 acres.
• The “GO” status for Willow Springs Ranch has been lifted.
• Public access to all roads within the fire area remains restricted.
• An infrared flight is planned to locate remaining hotspots.
• The Freeman Trailhead and the Arizona Trail segment between Tigermine Road and Freeman Road are closed indefinitely.

The fire became particularly intense on the night of July 11 due to a significant wind shift, which necessitated the evacuation of Willow Spring Ranch and posed threats to crucial infrastructure, such as power lines and communication towers.

The fire’s history includes multiple updates from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, noting varying levels of containment and ongoing challenges due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Current situation:

• The Freeman Fire has burned a total of 32,568 acres.
• There are no current “GO,” “SET,” or “READY” evacuation orders.

Residents can check the Arizona Emergency Information Network website to understand the evacuation protocols.

Specific road closures are in place as reported by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office on “X” (previously known as Twitter).

Shelter information for potential evacuees has not been released by officials.

Smoke from the Freeman Fire is affecting the skies over the Phoenix Metro area, causing noticeable haze.

Wildfire preparedness:

Residents in wildfire-prone locations should prepare emergency kits well in advance. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) advises storing essentials in accessible containers. Key items include water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, important documents, and clothing.

A comprehensive checklist by the NFPA includes:

• Three gallons of water per person.
• Three-day supply of ready-to-eat food.
• First-aid kit and medications.
• Copies of important documents in a waterproof container.
• Sleeping bags or blankets.
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radios.
• Dust masks or cotton t-shirts for air filtering.
• Waterproof matches.
• Complete change of clothing stored in a waterproof container.
• Signal flares.

The full NFPA emergency supplies checklist can be found here.

For more information on staying safe during Arizona’s wildfire season, visit the 12News YouTube playlist dedicated to this topic.

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