Two wildfires burn uncontained near Kearny, north of Tucson

Separate wildfires have burned about 10,000 acres total near the town of Kearny, about 75 miles north of Tucson. No communities are threatened at this time, state officials say.

The Romero Fire covered 6,900 acres in the last two days with 0% containment, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said Sunday. It is burning through grass and brush 13 miles southwest of Kearny and 22 miles northwest of Mammoth.

The second blaze, the Circle Fire, had burned through an estimated 2,800 acres of grass and brush, also with 0% containment, as of the department’s last update Saturday night. It is at the base of Antelope Peak, about 14 miles southeast of Kearny, and northeast of last week’s Freeman Fire site.

Numerous columns of smoke are visible from the surrounding areas of Oracle, Kearny, Mammoth and to travelers on State Routes 79 and 77.

Firefighters have protected Hayden Ranch and are working to secure western and eastern edges of the fire, the department said.

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Resources assigned to the fire include engines, crews, a water tender, medical team, aircraft support and a mapping mission.

Freeman Road and the Arizona Trail between Oracle and Kearny are closed, and officials are encouraging the public to avoid the areas of Barkerville and Willow Springs Road. The 3C Ranch, west of the fire, near Barkerville Road, has been placed on a SET evacuation status and there is a temporary flight restriction over the fire.

Fire officials did not disclose whether there was a known or suspected cause for either fire.