UPDATE 12:00 p.m. 04/29:
After aerial mapping this morning, fire officials are able to provide a more precise measurement of the burned area at 2,300 acres.
The Cochise County Office of Emergency Management and Cochise County Sheriff's Office have issued a 'SET' evacuation notice for people north of Middle March Road and south of West Eastland Street. A 'READY' notice is also in place for residents east of Desert Road, west of North Willcox Road, north of Middle March Road and south of West Eastland Street. Previous evacuation statuses continue to remain in place
UPDATE 9 a.m. 04/29:
According to a social media post from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the fire remained active through 1 a.m. when cooler temperatures and relative humidity helped moderate fire activity.
Activity picked up again on the west and northwest flanks of the fire Tuesday morning, and the fire is now estimated at 3,000 acres, the post said.
Operations expect activity to increase throughout the day as temperatures rise and the wind picks up, the post said.
The west flank of the fire is hung up within steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain within the Dragoons, the post said. The fire is still holding along Cochise-Stronghold Road on the east flank and Ironwood Road on the north.
Watch the latest live update in our 11 a.m. newscast:
UPDATE 11 P.M.
Officials from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office said homes west of Cochise Stronghold and south of Ironwood Roads in Sunsites are in the go status. That means people living in the area need to evacuate. People living in the Sunsites-Pearce area are in the set and go stages of evacuation including to the Stronghold area campgrounds and trailheads.
They said crews are working to protect nearby buildings, homes, and the fire jumped a local road so they’re working on putting that out. They said one outbuilding was destroyed.
The fire pushed into the Dragoons and the Coronado National Forest on the east and south sides.
Tanya Bok lives in the area and she had to evacuate. She said there has been two other major fires like this since she moved to the area five years ago.
“It is always in the back of our minds and especially with this incredibly dry year. I hike up to those big domes almost every weekend and the fuel load in there and the amount of dead trees from this drought is unbelievable,” Bok said.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said they have four of their own crews working on putting the fire out and also have state and federal resources. They said additional resources including the Globe Hotshots have been ordered.
Update 7:15 p.m.:
In the video above, Cuyler Diggs takes a look at the strong winds that are contributing to the rapid spread of the Stronghold Fire in Cochise County Monday.
UPDATE 5:55 p.m.:
The Stronghold Fire has grown to 2,000 acres, according to an update from WildCAD, a computer-aided dispatch for agencies fighting wildfires.
KGUN 9 will provide updates from Andrew Christiansen, our reporter on scene, throughout the evening as crews continue to work the fire:
UPDATE 4:09 p.m.:
Arizona Forestry confirms the Stronghold Fire is burning about 750 acres. They say it's being driven by winds through grass, brush, and oak.
Arizona Forestry says wind shifting directions is challenging resources, confirming the fire is pushing to the northeast.
The fire is holding by Ironwood Road and Cochise Road to the east, per Arizona Forestry.
About 100 personnel are responding to the incident, and aircraft are working on the south side of the fire.
Various areas within Sunsites and Pearce are in SET or GO status.
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UPDATE 2:39 p.m.:
The Stronghold Fire is pushing to the northeast, driven by winds and fuel, according to Arizona Forestry.
In an email to KGUN 9, Arizona Forestry states, "Fire jumped a local road. Crews working to protect nearby structures and trying to tie in the fire off local roads."
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UPDATE 1:59 p.m.:
The Stronghold Fire has jumped from 70 to 283 acres, moving southeast and remains very active, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Arizona Forestry says additional resources have been ordered, including two large air tankers, two single-engine air tankers, four engines, the Globe Hotshots, and overhead.
Currently, four Arizona Forestry crews remain assigned along with state, federal and local engines.
Per the Cochise County Sheriff's Office: GO for homes west of Cochise Stronghold and south of Ironwood Roads in Sunsites.
If residents need assistance with evacuating large animals, call SEACOM and CCSO Ranch Patrol.
All evacuation information will come from the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.
The fire is located about 16 miles south of Cochise.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The Cochise County Sheriff's Department set an evacuation order for Cochise Stronghold and Ironwood Roads due to a brush fire.
CCSO encourages those who live in the area to leave immediately.
They say to take your go bag with important paperwork, medications, and pets with their pet needs if it applies to you.
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