Forest fire season is approaching 1:12
(CNN) -
The area near where two large wildfires have been growing for days in eastern Arizona is so dry that firefighters trying to control the blaze have started fires started by their own equipment, authorities said Tuesday.
The Telegraph fire has burned more than 30,756 hectares and the Mescal fire has burned more than 26,305 hectares, according to the Interagency Incident Information Center.
"Even our own firefighting team is starting fires," intelligence agent Dean McAlister said of fires.
"The shovels and tracks for our heavy equipment working against what is burning have actually created some fires along the firing line."
In his Tuesday night update, McAlister added that crews have been able to put out those smaller fires as they occur, but are asking people to keep their own vehicles away from the area to prevent their own accidental ignition.
The Telegraph fire was 18% contained, according to the clearinghouse.
The nearby Mescal forest fire was 23% contained.
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Dry conditions in Arizona are making it more difficult to contain fires in the area.
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McAlister expressed optimism to increase containment despite dry conditions
"Things are looking pretty good for the situation that we have with the climate that we have," McAlister said.
The Telegraph fire, which was detected by firefighters Friday afternoon, has burned five structures so far, authorities said Tuesday in a Facebook post.
"Fire managers had a busy day on the fire that involved putting out fires and removing members of the public who entered the fire closure area," officials said in the post.
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Evacuations are active and residents are advised to check the Gila County Health and Emergency Management Facebook page for changes to these orders, authorities said.
Authorities believe the fire was started by a person, but are still investigating the cause.
No deaths or injuries have been reported in any of the fires.
While the Mescal fire has grown since Monday, authorities told some residents of the San Carlos Apache Reserve they could return home.
- CNN's Melissa Alonso, Steve Almasy and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
Forest fires