Ray, Shake fires near Kearny are contained, fire authorities say
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - Evacuations have been lifted amid the Ray and Shake Fires, which have burned more than 150 acres in Pinal County.
They're being managed as one incident due to how close they are to each other.
The fires were burning near State Route 177 and Old Ray Road just outside the town of Kearny, the Arizona Dept. of Forestry and Fire Management said on July 9.
The fires started on July 9. The Ray Fire was first reported around 1 p.m. at half an acre and within two hours, it grew to 51 aces.
Nearby, the Shake Fire sparked and the same evacuation orders were issued.
Authorities say forward progress of the fires has stopped. All remaining evacuations were lifted on July 10.
On July 11, authorities said the fires are contained. The Ray Fire burned 64 acres and the Shake Fire burned 53 acres.
The size of the fires decreased, authorities say, due to more accurate mapping.
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Federal funds released to help fire suppression
The Federal Emergency Management Agency released federal funding to help Arizona battle the fire.
The state requested federal funds once it was discovered the fire may be threatening as many as 300 homes in and around the town of Kearny.
"100% of the threatened homes are primary residences and 0% are secondary residences," the agency said.
The agency says this funding can pay for up to 75% of the firefighting costs.
"Eligible costs covered by Fire Management Assistance Grant's can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire," the agency said.