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FAST FACTS: Telegraph Fire, Mescal Fire scorching thousands of acres east of the Valley

Telegraph Fire
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GLOBE, AZ — Thousands of acres have been burned by the Telegraph and Mescal fires burning east of the Valley. Residents of some areas have been asked to evacuate, shelters have been set up, and roads have been closed with no estimated time to reopen.

The Mescal Fire is burning Southeast of Globe while the Telegraph Fire is burning south of Superior.

PHOTOS: Telegraph and Mescal Fire burning in communities east of the Valley

Track the size of the two wildfires in our map below.

MAP: See where active Arizona wildfires are burning across the state

Here's what you need to know about both fires:

Shelters:

  • Red Cross evacuation centers at Skyline High School in Mesa and High Desert Middle School in Globe.
  • Large animal sheltering available at Birch Stockyard (2822 N Hwy 188) in Globe and Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds.
  • Arizona Humane Society says they will be providing a pet shelter at Skyline High School with pop-up kennels, food, blankets, and other medical supplies for pets until they are no longer needed.

Closures/Restrictions:

  • Route 3 junction Road No. 600, 500, 700, 702, 748 closed to the public
  • US 60 (Superior to Miami) closed
Telegraph Fire
Telegraph Fire

LATEST INFORMATION ON TELEGRAPH, MESCAL FIRES

Telegraph Fire:

Size: 180,685 acres

Containment: 67% contained

Evacuations: GO: El Capitan (east and west), Dripping Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, Slash S Ranch, Government Springs. SET: Bellevue, Beverly Hills, Six Shooter, Icehouse. READY: Top-of-the-World, Oak Flat, Superior, Globe, Miami, Claypool, Central Heights, Pinto/Carlotta, Skill Center, Fairgrounds, Schultz Ranch, Battle Axe, Ray Mine, Riverside, Kearny, Winkleman and Hayden.

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Mescal Fire:

Size: 72,250 acres (no longer considered an active fire)

Containment: 88% contained

Evacuations: GO: None. SET: Skill Center, Beverly Hills, T11 Ranch, Lower Peridot, South Peridot. READY: San Carlos, Coyote Flats/San Carlos High School area

Wildfires force evacuations near Globe

WHAT'S AT STAKE WITH THESE WILDFIRES?

The two fires are threatening both communities and businesses.

“And what’s at stake here is life and death often times,” said Dolores Garcia.

Garcia, a veteran of the fire service and spokesperson for the Bureau of land Management says Arizona is well prepared to take on a potentially record-setting year for wildfires.

“We plan for the worst, but hope for the best, but we like to be prepared,” said Garcia.

Click here to read more about the efforts going into protecting the communities threatened by the Mescal and Telegraph fires.

REAL-TIME ARIZONA WILDFIRE INFORMATION: