Evacuations were ordered in Cochise County Thursday after separate wildfires started near Sierra Vista and Benson, officials say.
The Wildhorse FireΒ about three miles east of Ramsey Canyon was reported about 12:30 p.m. when it had already grown to about 30 acres, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire ManagementΒ first reported on Twitter.
That fire prompted the closing of a section Arizona 92 south of Sierra Vista. The Cochise County Sheriff's Department later orderedΒ evacuations for affected areas.Β By 2 p.m., crews said they stopped forward progress on the fire, and are working to create a containment line around the area.
Also Thursday,Β another wildfire was reportedΒ Β aboutΒ seven miles south of Benson, according to theΒ state. The Post Fire was more than 600Β acres by Thursday afternoon, the state Forestry Department said.
Heavy air tankers were requested, however winds gusts of over 30 mph in the area caused issues with air support for both fires, theΒ National Weather Service TucsonΒ posted on Twitter.
The Arizona Traveler Information site, az511.gov, provides Β updates on highway conditions. Updates can also be received via the AZ511 app, the Departmentβs Twitter account, @ArizonaDOT, or by calling 511.
