A fire in the bed of the Gila River in Thatcher that started Wednesday afternoon rekindled with a shift of the winds Friday and burned a large area of land before it was finally contained on Saturday.
No structures were damaged, and no injuries were reported in connection with the conflagration that officials believe may have been intentionally started. The fire burned from west to east along the river, starting less than two miles west of the Thatcher Bridge.
Graham County Sheriff Frank Hughes said a little black car was seen leaving the area where the fire was first reported Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle fled when the witness, a Thatcher firefighter riding an ATV, tried to chase him down.
Thatcher firefighters fought the fire Wednesday and thought it was contained, Thatcher firefighters said.
However, when the wind changed direction Friday afternoon, embers were sent into an unburned area, which erupted with 100-foot flames.
Thatcher Fire Chief Mike Payne said the fire was in an area of the river that the department could not access with its equipment, and a single-engine air tanker was brought in to assist.
The tanker made several slurry drops, dropping retardant at the head of the fire in an attempt to stop its advance. The tanker made its final passes, dropping retardant around the Thatcher Bridge before the setting of the sun forced the plane down.
Bureau of Land Management firefighters then lighted a back fire to consume the fuel in the fire's path. Firefighters were still working in the area on Saturday and Sunday, but no other fires erupted.
Crews from Pima, Fort Thomas and Globe assisted in fighting the fire Friday night.
Hughes said anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Department.
