Highlights:

Firefighters worked through snow and frigid temperatures yesterday to strengthen containment along the fire perimeter. With increasing containment, excess equipment is being backhauled, and crews are actively monitoring and patrolling the area. Efforts continue to address remaining pockets of heat within the fire perimeter to ensure the fire stays within its current footprint.

Highlights:

With cold and wet conditions reducing fire behavior, firefighters continued patrols, mop-up efforts, and prep work along the fire perimeter. Crews addressed internal pockets of unburned fuels, which may produce visible smoke and flames but remain well within the interior of the fire. Improved containment lines have led Gila County to lower evacuation levels to READY for communities along the western containment line.

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.