Residents in Gila County’s Bonita Creek area were told to grab what they can and get out on Saturday after officials issued a mandatory “GO” evacuation, as a wildfire burned through steep, brushy terrain above the subdivision. The blaze had already chewed through roughly 20 acres with no containment reported early on, and authorities warned that anyone who stayed should expect limited access to emergency services. Neighbors were urged to keep roads clear for engines and crews and to follow instructions from local responders so firefighters are not dodging traffic while trying to work.
The fire is listed on the interagency mapping system at about 20 acres with 0 percent containment. According to the Wildfire Enterprise Geospatial Portal, the incident footprint and containment figures are being updated as incident managers gather more precise information on the burn.
Gila County officials called the threat “imminent and life-threatening” and cautioned that “emergency services may not be able to assist residents who ignore the advisement,” according to 12News. The order covers homes in and around the Bonita Creek area, and officials urged people to leave immediately so crews can focus on the fire without putting more residents in harm’s way.
How residents should prepare
Emergency-preparedness guidance recommends having a three-day “go bag” ready before the knock comes at the door. That kit should include water, ready-to-eat food, medications, and copies of important documents. The National Fire Protection Association suggests storing about three gallons of water per person for a three-day period, and Ready.gov offers a detailed checklist of what to pack. Households with pets or livestock are urged to include food, carriers, and any needed medications for animals as well.
Where to get help and alerts
People displaced by wildfire can seek assistance from local disaster-relief organizations; the American Red Cross for Arizona and New Mexico lists a hotline at 1-800-842-7349. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications and keep an eye on the county’s public health and emergency management pages for shelter locations, evacuation updates, and possible road closures, per Gila County Public Health & Community Services. Officials also recommend keeping your vehicle fueled, having an emergency kit ready to toss in the car, and leaving as directed so responders can concentrate on containment and structure protection.
Officials say updates on the Bonita Creek fire will be posted on county channels and incident maps as new incident data comes in and further instructions are issued. This story will be updated as those details are released.
