STATE GLANCE

Small wildfire forces evacuation of campers

STRAWBERRY, Ariz. — A small wildfire near Strawberry has forced the evacuation of campers and the shutdown of a popular recreation area.

The fire started shortly before midnight Wednesday, about 12 miles west of Strawberry near a ridge named Ike’s Backbone. It has burned about 150 acres around where Fossil Creek meets the Verde River.

The Coconino National Forest closed Fossil Creek, a popular spot for hiking and swimming, because of the wildfire.

Firefighters who had been working on another blaze that has nearly wrapped up in Cornville responded to the one near Strawberry.

More resources were on the way Thursday, including aircraft, the Forest Service said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Several other wildfires are burning in Arizona amid of period of intense heat across the U.S. Southwest.

Residents of the largest wildfire that has burned nearly 259 square miles in Pinal and Gila counties are in various stages of evacuation.

Operations Section Chief Todd Abel said crews were focused Thursday on the southern end of the fire where it was advancing, partly because of wind gusts. Heat also has hampered firefighting efforts from the air, he said.

The so-called Telegraph Fire started June 4 and is 72% contained.

Another wildfire that started about a week later in the Santa Teresa Mountains in southern Arizona also has forced evacuations and the closure of federal land. The fire has burned 27 square miles and is 15 percent contained.

Navajo Nation reports 12 new COVID-19 cases, 1 more death

WINDOW ROCK, — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases and one more death.

Tribal health officials said the total number of virus-related deaths on the Navajo Nation now is 1,343 with the total number of reported cases at 30,948 since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the mask mandate will remain in place, especially as concern grows over virus variants.

Colorado man dies after falling into river at Grand Canyon

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK — A Colorado man has died after falling into the Colorado River while boating in Grand Canyon National Park, authorities said Tuesday.

Park officials said they received an emergency alert from a noncommercial river trip near the Hance Rapid around 10 a.m. Monday.

They said 63-year-old James Crocker of Lakewood reportedly fell into the river at the top of the rapid on the sixth day of a multiday private boating trip.

Members of Crocker’s boating group said he was unresponsive when pulled out of the water and they began CPR.

Park rangers arrived at the scene by helicopter and unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate Crocker.

Tucson police: Man found dead along road was homicide victim

TUCSON — A man has been found dead on the side of a road on Tucson’s west side and it’s being investigated as a homicide, according to police.

Officers were called early Monday about an unresponsive man who had signs of trauma to his body.

Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His identity is being withheld until his relatives can be notified. Police said no suspects have been identified or arrested in the case yet.