Goodwin Fire increases to 20,000 acres, containment drops

The wildfire about 14 miles southeast from Prescott has burned 20,000 acres since it started on Saturday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the fire was 5 percent contained, but then firefighters said on Tuesday night containment fell to 1 percent.

Crews are worried since the strong winds are pushing the flames toward Mayer.

Firefighters have said buildings have burned but don't know what kind. Deputies with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office are working with fire officials to find out the extent of the damage.

The Goodwin Fire has prompted multiple evacuations.

They include the area north of the Goodwin-Mayer Road/County Road 177, and west of Highway 69, from Mayer to south of Poland Junction. This does not include areas east of Highway 69.

"It's very upsetting. We moved here about three years ago, bought a home," said Tricha Zelambo, who lives in Mayer.

She said she had about 30 minutes to grab what she could and leave her home.

"I am very worried about it, extremely and I had to leave a lot of possessions behind, a lot of heirlooms," said Zelambo.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation for Poland Junction Proper, Chapparal Hills and Breezy Pines subdivision.

"My advice to everybody is to have everything in order and not do what I did and wait til the last minute," said Zelambo.

The evacuation of the community of Pine Flat still remains.

A shelter has been set up at Bradshaw Mountain High School, 6000 E. Long Look Drive, in Prescott Valley.

At 10 p.m. Tuesday, YCSO issued pre-evacuations for Dewey - Humboldt area.

Pre-evacuations were ordered for the area north of the Goodwin-Mayer Road/County Road 177, and west of Highway 69, from Mayer to south of Poland Junction. This does not include areas east of Highway 69. Pre-evacuations have also been ordered for Walker, Potato Patch and Mountain Pine Acres.

State Route 69 is closed in both directions near Mayer because of the Goodwin Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The wildfire jumped the highway on Tuesday.

The highway is closed between Interstate 17 at Cordes Junction and the State Route 169 junction near Prescott.

Drivers should use alternate routes and be prepared for delays on those routes. Motorists headed to Prescott may take State Route 169 or State Route 89 instead of SR 69.

Emergency officials' evacuation of Mayer this afternoon has also forced the local Post Office to be closed until further notice, Mayer Postmaster Debra Jevitt has announced.

Mayer postal customers who wish to pick up their mail will be able to do so beginning Wednesday, June 28, at the Camp Verde Post Office, 403 W. Finnie Flat Rd., Camp Verde AZ 86322. Mayer customers' mail should be ready for pickup no earlier than noon on Wednesday.

The Camp Verde Post Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mayer postal customers on the route normally delivered from the Mayer Post Office are affected as a result of authorities' evacuation of the area.

Future delivery decisions will be made after consulting with local emergency managers.

"The Postal Service will do everything possible to provide service to the community while emphasizing the safety of our employees and customers as our first priority," Jevitt said.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.