A lightning-caused wildfire that started near the Carlota copper mine had burned 365 acres as of Wednesday, with a Type 3 Incident Command team on the scene to keep the flames from infrastructure and neighboring communities.

The Carlota Fire (previously named the Carlota Mine Fire) was ignited at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26. By late Friday morning it had burned six acres and was being monitored by fire personnel; the US Forest Service-Tonto National Forest posted on Facebook that it was burning in an unstable area that was unsafe for firefighters to enter. Due to outflow winds from nearby thunderstorms, it grew to 106 acres by Saturday evening; its smoke was visible from Highway 60 – and from as far as east Globe – Friday night. Globe District Ranger Adam Bromley said fire activity increased again Sunday, expanding the Carlota to 350 acres. 

On Wednesday morning the Tonto National Forest posted that the fire was at 365 acres, and within planned containment lines. The fire was reported at 25 percent containment; interior pockets of unburned fuel continued to smolder. On Tuesday, August 1, firefighters built a small contingency dozer line on the fire's eastern side to protect a power substation and grazing infrastructure.

The firefighting team included two engines, two hand crews, a Type 3 helicopter and a bulldozer. Burning operations were being conducted on the fire’s western flank, along Highway 60 and Forest Road 2574. “Good solid holding measures are in place between the fire and values at risk,” said Bromley. A hotshot crew was able to bring the fire down to the highway and toward Pinto Creek, securing the fire’s south side to protect Top of the World. “We continue to expect interior activity as the fire moves into the Pinto Creek drainage naturally,” said Bromley. One of the highway’s westbound lanes, west of Pinto Creek Bridge, was temporarily closed for firefighter safety.

[Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect recent developments.]