An infrared flight has reduced the size of a fire burning in Pinal County, but officials say it has destroyed several structures and continues to threaten several hundred more.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says the Roach Fire, as it has been named, sparked Friday night in the area of Palo Verde and Cholla roads and is primarily burning in the San Pedro River.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said Sunday evening the fire had burned 335 acres and was 30 percent contained. As of that point, it had destroyed 11 structures and another 200 remained threatened.
Three of the structures that were destroyed were homes that had been evacuated, Pinal County officials said. The county declared a state of emergency that will allow state assistance to be used to fight the fire.
Officials said Sunday evening that evacuated residents will be allowed back home starting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Those evacuated were instructed to go to Hayden High School near Thorne Avenue and 5th Street in Winkelman where the Red Cross has set up a shelter. Pets could be dropped off at Dudleyville Park, where Pinal County Animal Care and Control is accepting animals.
Stay with ABC15 News and abc15.com for the latest updates on this developing situation.
