Bureau of Indian Affairs holds back fire from White Mountain Apache Tribe's casino

Friday, May 11, 2018  

A blaze near the casino owned by the White Mountain Apache Tribe was caused by a vehicle's exhaust system, fire mangers for the Bureau of Indian Affairs confirmed.

The Oliver Fire affected about 12 acres near the Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center in Arizona, The White Mountain Independent reported. It was put under control on Thursday morning after burning for two days.

At the time of the publication of the paper story on Friday morning, Candy Lupe, a fire specialist with the BIA's Fort Apache Agency, suspected the fire was caused by an overheated catalytic converter, which is part of a vehicle's exhaust system. The agency has since confirmed her suspicions.

"Please stay vigilant, we are experience extreme drought conditions and the vegetation is dry. One less spark one less wildfire!" the agency said in a post on Facebook on Friday afternoon.

Effective Friday morning, the Fort Apache Reservation is under a "Stage Two Fire Restrictions," the BIA said in an earlier press release. The National Weather Service also issued a Red Flag Warning and a Fire Weather Watch for the region, The Independent reported.

No one was harmed by the Oliver Fire and the casino was not threatened by it.

Read More on the Story:
Wildfire near casino held at 12 acres (The White Mountain Independent May 11, 2018)