The Cedar Fire continues to grow in eastern Arizona, and the governor has now issued a "state of emergency declaration" for Navajo County.
Fire officials said the fire grew approximately 10,000 acres on Monday. The fire is currently 40,340 acres with 20 percent containment. The fire growth is extending from the south side of the main fire.
Governor Doug Ducey issued the declaration on Tuesday afternoon in order to release state dollars to help local respond efforts, as well as to allow other state agencies to assist local efforts should they be needed.
JUST IN: @dougducey declares state of emergency for @NavajoCountyAZ due to #CedarFire #abc15 pic.twitter.com/XsPz3OA4uV
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) June 21, 2016
As a part of the declaration, $200,000 from Arizona's general fund can be made available to assist with the fire and the Arizona National Guard can be called to help protect lives and property in the area.
Cedar Creek is still under a pre-evacuation notice. Officials are working closely with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police to keep community members up to date.
Residents who choose to leave the area can go to Snowflake High School or to Eager Round Valley Dome.
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Livestock can be taken to the Taylor Rodeo Ground or the Holbrook Fair Grounds. If you have small animals, they can go to Apache Eager Animal Control.
There are 847 fire personnel on the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
