Brush fire in Pinal County prompted evacuation

Officials with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office say a brush fire prompted an evacuation in one community within the county for some time on Jan. 23.

On their Facebook page, officials said the southwest region of Queen Valley has been placed under a "Go" status, meaning they need to evacuate. That part of Queen Valley has since been returned to ‘Set’ status.

Meanwhile, the north and west regions of Queen Valley are currently under a "Ready" status, meaning they need to prepare now for a potential evacuation.

Queen Valley is a community located along US 60, located to the east of the greater Phoenix area. Some in the area saw the fire's progress earlier on Thursday.

"I went and looked, and it seem it was coming right over the top of the park itself, but the wind was blowing quite heavily, and so we didn’t know what to do," said Dale Wiesner."

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Dry conditions causing concerns

Strong winds and dry conditions in the area are causing concerns amongst some.

"It’s dry, and everything's ready to spark, ready to ignite at one small spark, and we have that potential year-round," said Delores Garcia with the Bureau of Land Management.

Garcia said 2024 wildfires were well above the national average, and 80% of the wildfires were human caused.

There are, however, things that people can do.

"Now is the time to look in and around your home, understand your risk, look to create that defensible space," said Garcia. "Don’t take for granted that you may live in kind of an urban environment. If it’s dry, it’ll catch fire. There’s potential."

‘Ready’ and ‘Go’ Status: What do they mean?

According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network's website, ‘Ready’ and "Go' status are part of a nationwide program called ‘Ready, Set, Go.’

The program, per AZEIN's website, is adopted by Arizona's 15 county sheriffs, and the program educates residents about proactive measures to take before emergencies, and what to do when communities are threatened.

Dig deeper:

When a ‘Ready’ status is active for a certain area, it means people should be aware of the hazards that can threaten their community, and do the following:

  • Take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats
  • Register with their county/tribal emergency notification system
  • Connect with their local emergency management office, sheriff's office and public health department on social media
  • Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes family phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations. Keep in mind physical distancing recommendations, wearing face coverings or other public health recommendations
  • Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours. Include supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, such as face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Start with the five P’s; people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items
  • Check with their neighbors, family, friends and elders through video chats or phone calls to ensure they are ready
  • Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings and public health recommendations

When a ‘Set' status is active, it means people affected should know there is significant danger in their area. They also should:

  • Consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area.
  • Grab their emergency go kit.
  • Keep in mind unique needs for their family, or special equipment for pets and livestock.
  • Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.

When a ‘Go' status is active, it means the danger in the affected areas are imminent and life threatening, and people should:

  • Evacuate immediately to a shelter, or stay with family/friends outside of the affected area.
  • Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.

The website also notes that people who choose to ignore a ‘Go’ statue "must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further."

This story is developing. Please check back for further updates.

Where Queen Valley is located

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