Fire lines holding so far in Show Low wildlife

A little more than eight hours later, fire officials said it was up to 3,000 acres.

The U.S. Forest Service said Thursday the firefighter is recovering after suffering a head injury in a fall.

A stretch of USA 60 has been closed as crews conduct back-burning operations to stop fire progression.

Bob Butler, Air Operations Branch Director, said aerial operations were sporadic throughout the day due to high winds throughout the region – firefighting aircraft took to the skies Thursday, a day after high winds that kept them grounded died down.

The so-called Cedar Creek Fire is reported less than a mile from locations which if reached by the fire would trigger evacuation orders of communities or parts of them.

UPDATE 6/17/16 10:40 AM: The Cedar Creek Fire is now at 9,652 acres with zero containment.

The Tenderfoot Fire has since been brought under control, but it already burned thousands of acres near the town and destroyed at least three structures. Smoke from the Aspen Fire, which engulfed 400 acres, can be seen from Cedar City. A fleet of aircraft had better luck Thursday but nightfall brought a rise in gusty, erratic “sundowner” winds that had pushed the blaze Wednesday night.

Winds are said to be a factor in the spread of the flames.

Communities under pre-evacuation advisories include Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside, but only a few homes have been evacuated so far.

Authorities say a wildfire burning in rugged terrain near several eastern Arizona communities has grown to more than 8 square miles.

Officials said they believe both the Aspen fire and the Pine Canyon fire were caused by lightning storms that hit the area sometime between Saturday and Sunday. Air tankers are dropping retardant and water to stop the flames from spreading.

Wolfe says winds diminished overnight, helping firefighters who are burning areas ahead of the fire to deprive it of fuel Thursday.

Timber Mesa Fire Marshall Kirk Webb said the 911 emergency system is being overloaded with calls asking about the Cedar Creek Fire. Officials say people should be ready to evacuate on short notice. Authorities are concerned the two fires may connect.

“It is common floor lightning caused fires to show up days later”, Rechsteiner said.

The blaze started on Wednesday at around noon.