Highlights: The Horton Fire grew to 928 acres with 15% containment.

Operations: Crews monitored and patrolled yesterday, observing continued slow creeping and smoldering conditions across the majority of the fire area. Smoke production did increase yesterday near East Horton Creek and Horton Spring area between Forest Roads 76U and 76K as fire consumed heavier fuels in drainages. No firing operations occurred.

Today, Horton Fire crews will focus on the north and western areas of the fire.

Highlights: The Horton Fire is currently 898 acres with 15% containment. A weather shift is expected through Christmas Day, with cooler temperatures and increased humidity forecasted. Crews will remain on-scene throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Community Meeting in Payson today at 6:00 pm.

Highlights: The Horton Fire is currently at 520 acres, 0% containment and 140 personnel.

An in-person community meeting is scheduled for at 6 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 20, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541. Please note that this meeting will not be live-streamed.

Operations: Fire activity moderated yesterday, resulting in minimal growth.

Firefighters battle steep, rugged terrain as the Horton Fire swells to 500 acres, prompting SET evacuation alerts and an emergency closure in Tonto National Forest.

Highlights: The Horton Fire is currently at 500 acres, 0% containment and 122 personnel.

The saguaro cactus is a centuries-old icon of Arizona’s landscape, having appeared in more movies than actor John Wayne. Placement of the cactus in cartoons such as the “Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote” imprinted the saguaro on generations of impressionable young viewers.

These jolly green giants of the Sonoran Desert reach heights of 40 to 60 feet and can weigh between two and three tons. Saguaros stand as large green pillars atop the dusty landscape, welcoming visitors with open “arms”.