A fire that started nearly a week ago in the 7 Mile District, dubbed the Watch Fire, has left the community of San Carlos devastated. At least a dozen homes have been completely lost in a grim tally that could well grow, at least 75 residents were left homeless and more than 400 people were evacuated. In a press release declaring a state of emergency, the San Carlos Apache Tribe called this the Reservation’s most serious structural fire in at least 30 years. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

The Watch Fire started around 11 p.m. Thursday, July 11 and spread into the bed of the San Carlos River. Air tankers used to slow its growth to the south were grounded due to monsoonal outflow winds - winds that drove the flames in that direction, through the riverbed east of downtown San Carlos, heading toward Peridot Siding Road and Old Moonbase. Power was lost in the community for some time when the flames damaged power lines, and several roads were closed for the safety of firefighters and the public.

During the crisis GO evacuation orders were issued for Lower 7 Mile, Old/New Moonbase, White Mountain Avenue, Farmer’s Station and Peridot Heights, and the San Carlos Health Care Center was placed on SET status. All were downgraded to either SET or READY by Sunday afternoon, though the San Carlos Apache Tribe Emergency Response Commission (TERC) advised the remaining community “should be ready to evacuate at any notice.”

At press time the fire had consumed 2,162 acres and was 47 percent contained. Firefighters reported a successful day Sunday; 220 personnel were on the scene, down from around 300 Saturday. The Southwest Complex Incident Management Team took command of the fire Saturday morning.

The Tribe issued its state of emergency declaration Friday, requesting disaster assistance from the state and federal governments. The Tribe also acted quickly to help those displaced, setting up evacuation shelters at Apache Gold Casino, the Michael Noline Peridot Activity Center and San Carlos High School, as well as donation centers including the high school and Burdette Hall.

“We have endured fires before, but the human scale of this one is particularly devastating,” said San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler in a press release. “Unfortunately, multiple families lost homes. It was horrible all the way around. I have received reports of families leaving with nothing, elders having no transportation, kids running with no shoes. We have never experienced anything like this.”

7 Mile District Councilwoman Ina Salter told the Silver Belt Sunday that 12 homes were confirmed lost, but the situation was still being assessed and the number could change.

On Sunday, crews were working between China Town and Peridot Heights, and near Jurassic Park, to eliminate hotspots and clean up burnt vegetation, and railroad and electric companies started repairs on damaged infrastructure.

The Watch Fire was reported as human-caused, with arson suspected. The San Carlos Apache Police Department announced that it was investigating the fire, working with federal authorities. “We are saddened by the loss to our community and its residents,” the SCAPD stated. The department asked the community not to clean up burnt structures or debris, as investigators were being sent to take photos. “Our goal is to ensure the person(s) responsible for this fire is caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact the SCAPD at (928) 475-2311 or TIP411.