The 930-acre Soap Fire west of Black Canyon City is now 90% contained, but another recent blaze, the Horton Fire, is burning along the Mogollon Rim northeast of Payson completely uncontained, as of Sunday afternoon.
The Horton Fire, which covers 769 acres of Ponderosa pine, conifer and chaparral, has at least not moved west in the past few days above the Highline Trail, a 57-mile route popular for backpacking, camping and hiking. The fire is holding along Forest Road 300 to Forest Road 9305.
Surrounding communities Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery and Zane Grey Cabins remain in SET status while 170 fire personnel fight the flames.
This picture, taken in 2021, is from a campsite east of where the man-made Horton Fire is burning pines, conifers and chaparrals on the Mogollon Rim northeast of Payson, along the same road.
Smoke may be visible in the area for days, sinking heavier in the mornings, and the U.S. Forest Service is urging people nearby with heart or respiratory issues to take precautionary measures.
It is unusual to have wildfires during December.
Humans started both the Horton and Soap fires last week, but weather conditions have fueled them. The Arizona High County has seen little precipitation over the last couple of months and warmer-than-average temperatures.
More: Arizona wildfires in December are ‘definitely not normal.’ Here’s why there are still some
Both fires affect areas with steep, rugged terrain.
Crews are prepping the community of Christopher Creek, near the Horton Fire, and are assessing the best way to protect valuables if the fire grows and the weather remains dry.
Dry conditions are forecasted through Christmas Eve, but light precipitation may happen in the middle of next week, according to the Forest Service.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: A fire along the Mogollon Rim remains at 0% containment
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