Crews have restored power in the Heber-Overgaard area as firefighters continue to battle brush fires that have charred over 5,000 acres in eastern Arizona.
The fire is being called the 377 Fire, but was also called the Threeway Fire by officials when it was first reported.
As of Wednesday morning, the fire was 5,180 acres with 20 percent containment.
Fire officials said good progress was made on Tuesday. Ground crews were able to complete a perimeter around the fire.
Residents of DeSpain Ranch have been allowed to return home after an evacuation order was lifted. Navajo County tweeted that their Holbrook shelter would be closed by the end of the day Wednesday.
The fires forced the closures of State Routes 277 and 377 northeast of Heber. SR 377 funnels traffic to and from Interstate 40.
The Arizona Department of Transportation says the SR 277 was reopened Tuesday afternoon.
*** REOPENING UPDATE ***
* SR 277 has reopened after a brush fire.*Be advised that SR 377 remains closed between Holbrook and Heber-Overgaard. Use SR 77 and SR 260 as a detour. #Aztraffic pic.twitter.com/soBiOspHp2
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 5, 2018
Authorities say the fires were ignited by sparks from a trailer part being dragged by a truck.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety says they stopped a semi-truck driver that was dragging parts on the back of the truck Monday, which is believed to be the cause of the wildfire.
Just before 1:30 pm, troopers were able to find and stop white semi with a red trailer dragging parts of the trailer, causing the sparks that ignited the fires. The semi caused several fires over the length of 24 Miles. The truck was placed out of service. https://t.co/RBFdvKYieG
— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) June 5, 2018
Navopache Electric Cooperative crews worked for several days to restore power to repair the damaged line that left most of the area without power. Company officials say power was restored Tuesday evening.
Multiple agencies are assisting the Heber-Overgaard Fire Department including Forest Lakes Fire Department, Forest Service, Department of Public Safety, NCSO, Taylor Fire and Arizona Department of Transportation.
