DUDLEYVILLE — A small community in south-central Arizona remained under an evacuation notice Friday after crews and air tankers stopped the growth of a wildfire that burned at least 12 homes, officials said.
The fire that burned through thick vegetation in the San Pedro River bottom near Dudleyville in Pinal County on Thursday continued to be estimated at 500 acres with containment around 20% of its perimeter as of Friday, officials said.
The cause of the fire near the unincorporated Pinal County town was under investigation.
The county Sheriff’s Office said approximately 200 residents were evacuated and that the evacuation notice might be lifted Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Crews on Friday continued to build fire lines to keep the fire from spreading into Dudleyville if winds gust again but utility crews also needed to check for damage to power lines that were de-energized Thursday, said Tiffany Davila, spokeswoman for the state Department of Forestry and Forest Management.
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Trees in the San Pedro River bottom burn during the Margo Fire south of Dudleyville, Arizona, north of Tucson, on April 9, 2021. The fire burned 12 homes and buildings in the town. Video by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Red Cross spokesman Mike Sagara said approximately 40 people spent the night at a shelter at Ray High School in Kearny, another community in the area.
Approximately 100 people were assigned to fight the fire. There was no immediate report any injuries.
Dudleyville is a census-designated place with a population of about 1,000 off Arizona 77 about 60 miles north of Tucson. The highway was closed but later reopened Thursday.
Photos: Margo Fire in Dudleyville, north of Tucson, burns 12 homes
Margo Fire
Flames from the Margo Fire burn trees and brush in the San Pedro River Valley near Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
People watch the Margo Fire as it burns in the San Pedro River Valley near Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
Remains of a home destroyed during the Margo Fire in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
A smoldering building behind a playhouse after the Margo Fire burned into Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
After dropping water, a helicopter flies around smoke from the Margo Fire burning the San Pedro River Valley and in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
A Type 6 fire crew keeps an eye on the Margo Fire as it burns in the San Pedro River Valley in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
Matthew Hinton, an Apache Gaming Enterprise security guard, takes a video of smoke from the Margo Fire as well as the burnt trees, and buildings in Dudleyville, Ariz.
Margo Fire
A Northwest Fire Department firefighter sprays water on burnt trees, left behind from the Margo Fire, in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
An Arizona Department of Transportation vehicle drives down State Route 77 while the Margo Fire burns in the San Pedro River Valley near Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
A helicopter drops water on the Margo Fire burning in the San Pedro River Valley and in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
Margo Fire
Red fire retardant, used on the Margo Fire, stains trees, cars and buildings in Dudleyville, Ariz., April 8, 2021.
