Brush fire burning in eastern Yuma County

  Three planes dropped fire retardant chemicals Friday morning on a massive wildfire that continued to burn in northeastern Yuma County.

  Lori Cook of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said the fire had charred about 475 acres of BLM-owned land about nine miles northeast of Dateland.

  "The fire is currently being maintained within the containment line," Cook said. "We don't expect it to get any bigger, but it is still a large fire."

  Cook added that it is hard to say how long the brush fire will continue to burn, but it could be several days due to the area's dense vegetation.

  The fire, which quadrupled in size since it was first reported at about 5 p.m. Thursday, is in the riverbed of the Gila River and is very remote and inaccessible, according to Cook.

  Cook said about 120 BLM firefighters, including four hand crews, and several fire engines were at the scene. The plan was to maintain the fire break and let the fire burn out on its own.

  She said as of 5:30 p.m. Friday, the fire was about 20 percent contained and they hoped to have it fully contained by Sunday evening.

  Two bulldozers were brought in Thursday night to clear out vegetation in the area to create a fire break around the fire.

  "There are also roads and some natural barriers that are used as part of the fire line," Cook said. "The hand crews are walking the fire line making sure it is clear."

  An APS transmission line, which has since been shut down, was also burned during the fire, according to Cook.

  Although no structures were threatened, Cook said, there are several trailers, some vehicles and an airplane on some private property about five miles from the fire. No injuries have been reported.

  Had the fire continued to spread, Cook said it would have threatened Sears Point, an archaeological site the land agency owns that is located east of fire.

  Cook said BLM had fire investigators on the scene, but the cause of the fire was undetermined as of Friday.

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