Flying V Fire burns 830 acres; US 60 closed north of Globe

WHITERIVER, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- More than 100 firefighters are working to put out a wildfire burning out of control along the U.S. 60 north of Globe. The Flying V Fire started on Wednesday and has burned 830 acres as of Friday morning. Fire officials initially said it had scorched 1,200 acres but later revealed better mapping had it hundreds of acres smaller.

U.S. 60 is closed for a 55-mile stretch between milepost 256 and 311, which is between Globe and Cibecue. No word when it will reopen.

According to the Division of Wildland Fire Management, the flames were burning just west of the 60 in a northeasterly direction. But part of the fire jumped the freeway and is burning east. A Type 3 team, described as a multi-agency effort to conduct an extended attack on the fire until containment is achieved, took charge of the firefight Thursday night.

As of Thursday night, the fire has burned approximately 751 acres.

At this time, wildland officials say the human-caused fire threatens no homes or structures. Jessica Sanchez is traveling from Tucson to Show Low and is unhappy about the U.S. 60 closure. “I mean, it’s a little inconvenient. It’s not ideal, but it is what it is. It’s not like we can drive through fires,” she said.

With the firefight still going, drivers can’t go on the U.S. 60 in that area. “Unfortunately, we’ve had to turn them around, send them through the (State Route) 188 up through Payson back down through Show Low. Or some people are trying to get to New Mexico. But we just have to turn them around,” said David Hernandez with ADOT.

Flying V Fire Friday, July 7, 2023 Location of Origin: Highway 60 at mm 300 Start Date: July 5, 2023 Size: 830...
Posted by BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management - Fort Apache Agency on Friday, July 7, 2023

With hot temperatures and dry weather expected to stick around, more human-caused wildfires are bound to start. “With the delay in monsoon season, we could see this activity push out for the next couple of weeks until we start to get into the heart of monsoon season with the rainfall and increased humidities,” said Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Click/tap here for the first Alert Traffic map.

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