The 930-acre Soap Fire west of Black Canyon City is now 90% contained, but another recent fire, the Horton Fire, has been burning completely unattended along the Mogollon Rim northeast of Payson since Sunday afternoon.
At least the Horton Fire, which covers 769 acres of ponderosa pines, conifers and chaparral, has not moved westward in recent days over the Highline Trail, a 56-mile route popular with backpacking, camping and hiking. The fire is burning along Forest Road 300 to Forest Road 9305.
Surrounding communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery and Zane Gray Cabins remain in SET status as 170 firefighters battle the flames.
This photo, taken in 2021, is from a campground east of where the man-made Horton Fire is burning pines, conifers and chaparrals on the Mogollon Rim northeast of Payson, along the same road.
The smoke may be visible in the area for days, sinking more heavily in the morning. The U.S. Forest Service is urging people in the area with heart or breathing problems to take precautions.
It is unusual for there to be forest fires in December.
Humans started both the Horton and Soap fires last week, but weather fueled them. Arizona High County has seen little precipitation in recent months and temperatures have been warmer than average.
More: Arizona’s December wildfires are ‘absolutely not normal’. This is why there are still some
Both fires are affecting areas with steep, rugged terrain.
Crews are preparing the community of Christopher Creek, near the Horton Fire, and assessing the best way to protect valuables as the fire grows and the weather remains dry.
Dry conditions are forecast through Christmas Eve, but light precipitation is possible by the middle of next week, according to the Forest Service.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: A fire along the Mogollon Rim remains at 0% containment
