Update: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 24
The Bowers Fire east of Whetstone is now 30% contained at 28 acres, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
About 75 firefighters have secured the edges and are working to improve the existing hand line, the department said.
Update: 8:25 p.m.
According to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, a man has died and another was injured after the fire broke out.
The cause has been identified as sparks that started a brush fire when 81-year-old Neil Edward Hesse and his 52-year-old son were at their home on Bowers Road working with a grinder.
Sheriff's deputies say they heard multiple explosions when they got there, which where later identified to be several propane tanks on the property.
The 2 men attempted to contain the fire, but both suffered serious injuries from burns and smoke inhalation.
They were taken to a Tucson hospital, but Hesse did not survive his injuries.
Cochise County Sheriff's Office is continuing their investigation.
Update: 4:25 p.m.
Cochise County Sheriff's Office lifted evacuation orders and open all previously blocked roads.
Update: 1:45 p.m.
The Bowers Fire has grown to 28.7 acres, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Cochise County authorities say evacuation orders from earlier remain in place.
Update: 9 a.m., April 23
Arizona Forestry and Bureau of Land Management - Arizona continue to battle the Bowers Fire, nine miles east of Whetstone, according to a social media post from Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
The fire is at 20 acres and continues to burn through the Babocomari River bed, the post said. Crews are suppressing the fire, but the heat from the Cottonwoods are a safety issue for firefighters, the post said.
The Department of Forestry said fire activity may increase and heavy smoke may be visible to nearby communities. Fifty personnel are assigned to battle the blaze.
Update: 10:33 p.m.
The Cochise County Sheriff's department issued a "Set" warning for a larger area of Whetstone.
They said the area south of Highway 82 at N. Sanders Road to East Blackberry Lane and East to North Sleepy Hollow Road should prepare to evacuate.
A "Set" warning means there is significant danger in an area and residents should be prepared to evacuate.
This is in addition to the evacuation order at Bowers Road to Calle En Cielo and Sanders south to Fordney.
Updated: 10:15 p.m.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders in Whetstone after a structure fire turned into a wildfire, Monday night.
In a Facebook post, CCSO said about 30 homes near Bowers Road to Calle En Cielo and Sanders south to Fordney should evacuate now.
The Whetstone fire department says evacuations are expected to last overnight. They said the Red Cross is working with Cochise County emergency management to get a shelter up, but there is no location at this time.
CCSO said one of the evacuated families is being put up for the night by the Sheriff's Assist Team Program.
The Whetstone department says the wildfire started with a structure near Sanders and Bowers Road.
The Whetstone Fire Department says three people were hurt in the fire. Two people suffered smoke inhalation and one person was flown to Banner with burns.
CCSO said several fire agencies are on their way to offer support, including the Arivaipa Hotshots from Prescott and the Tucson Fire Department. The Cochise County Sheriff's Department said they have enough man power to attack the fire from the east and west.
CCSO is asking people to avoid the area and said the road will be closed to all traffic.
Stay with KGUN 9 for the latest updates as this story develops.
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