Emergency closure order issued due to Wilbur Fire burning north of Strawberry

CLINTS WELL, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — An emergency area closure is in effect for a wildfire that’s been burning since last month in northern Arizona.

The Wilbur Fire is located approximately 8.5 miles west of Clints Well. The emergency area closure that went into effect on Thursday affects National Forest System lands near Clints Well on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD). See the map below. The U.S. Forest Service asks that anyone planning to be near the closure to seek other recreational areas.

The fire was started by lightning on May 21 and has so far burned 474 acres in the Coconino National Forest. Officials have chosen to manage the fire rather than aggressively fight it so that it consumes debris to restore the forest to healthier conditions. It will also lessen the risk of severe wildfires in the area.

Tap/click here for additional information on the Wilbur Fire.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.