BLM says Aztec fire near Dateland fully contained

 Firefighters battling a 475-acre wildfire that has been burning since Thursday northeast of Dateland are now calling it 100 percent contained.

  Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Lori Cook said one BLM engine and one 20-person fire crew were working the fire on Monday and would remain there throughout Tuesday as well, patrolling the perimeter and monitoring for hot spots.

  "When we say it is contained, it's not completely out," Cook said. "What we mean by contained is that we are confident it will not jump the perimeter of the fire line."

  The fire, dubbed the Aztec Fire, started in a Gila River bed Thursday afternoon and burned about 475 acres of BLM managed land. No property damage was reported as a result of the fire, nor any injuries.

  Cook said based on the land agency's preliminary investigation, the cause of the fire may have involved a nearby powerline.

  The BLM declared the fire 90 percent contained as of 6 p.m. Sunday and begin demobilizing firefighting crews, according to Cook.

  Despite strong winds Sunday, firefighters were able to keep the fire from advancing beyond the 475-acre burn area, Cook said.

  The fire, according to Cook, could take several more days before it burns itself out fully.

  "Everything looks very, very good out there,” Cook said.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.