The Goodwin Fire was considered 43 percent contained Thursday evening as residents of Mayer returned to their homes.
In addition, Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher told a community meeting in Prescott Valley that State Route 69 will reopen fully Friday between Interstate 17 and State Route 169 in Prescott Valley. Officials said the opening is expected by 6 a.m.
The stretch was closed earlier this week after the fire threatened Mayer, parts of Dewey and numerous other residential areas scattered near the highway, a major link to Prescott Valley and Prescott. The portion between I-17 and Mayer was reopened Thursday to allow residents of that town to return.
Officials also announced late Thursday an evacuation order had been lifted for the Poland Junction area on the east side of SR 69.
Earlier in the day, officials estimated about half the town’s homes had regained power. It was unclear how many people had returned to their homes, in part because a significant number never left as the blaze approached, officials said.
But for the first time since the blaze broke out Saturday afternoon, fire managers appeared to be optimistic about gaining an upper hand on the fire, which has burned nearly 25,000 acres in the Prescott National Forest.
Authorities said “four or five” structures had burned in the Mayer area, but resisted saying more because they had not had an opportunity to get a full evaluation of the damage.
“So far, we’ve really dodged a bullet,” said Tom Thurman, chairman of the Yavapai County supervisor who was also among the evacuees.
Arizona State Forester Jeff Whitney said the fire, which began Saturday, appears to have been human-caused, though not intentionally.
“It was not criminal intent,” he said, adding that the matter remains under investigation.
While the authorities were hopeful that the worst is over, Gov. Doug Ducey urged the public not to interfere with the firefighting efforts by flying drones over the affected areas.
Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, initially said there were two suspected looters in Mayer on Wednesday night, but later said there were no such arrests.
He said authorities learned to patrol for looters after the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013.
“A lot of people call them looters or whatnot, but they’re just burglars,” he said. “We have been very close partners with the Yavapai County Sheriff to make sure in these evacuated areas that we had a security presence, along with a roadblock presence along the area.”
Todd Abel, operations section chief for Southwest Area Incident Management Team, said crews could potentially have the Goodwin Fire contained by midnight July 4.
Abel said firefighters have been concentrating their efforts on the southern end of the fire, as well as on the eastern part of State Route 69, near Mayer.
The southern end is “buttoned up” after the past few days of intensive operations, Abel said, and “things are looking really good” near Mayer, where residents can begin to return home as of 10 a.m.
“We’ve been working real hard there to make sure it (the fire) stays where it’s at,” he said.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Frank Barbar said residents returning to Mayer can access the community through Highway 69 and Interstate 17.
Meanwhile, the mandatory evacuation of Dewey west of Highway 69 was still in effect Thursday morning.
Republic reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez contributed to this article.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAArizona Gov. Doug Ducey talks about the Goodwin Fire | 3:16
Gov. Doug Ducey, along with the Southwest Incident Management Team and state, county and local officials, speaks to the media about the Goodwin Fire, on June 29, 2017, at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley. Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire evacuee returns to slurry-covered home | 2:01
Nathan Henson returns home to find his house and car covered in slurry used by firefighters battling the Goodwin Fire on June 29, 2017, in Mayer. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONATime-lapse view of the Goodwin Fire burning near Prescott | 0:23
TIME-LAPSE VIDEO: The Goodwin Fire has burned more than 20,000 acres and is 1 percent contained as of June 28, 2017. Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire: Mayer evacuation lifted | 0:47
The mandatory evacuation of the town of Mayer has been lifted as of 10 am on Thursday, June 29, 2017. Officials maintain their request for the public to keep drones out of the area. Sam Caravana/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAAnimal Shelter for Goodwin Fire | 1:16
Volunteers from Animal Disaster Services care for displaced animals at Bradshaw Mountain High School Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. the animals were displaced due to the Goodwin Fire. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONADenny Foulk, Yavapai County Emergency Manager discuss state of emergency at Goodwin Fire | 2:01
Denny Foulk, Yavapai County Emergency Manager discusses state of emergency at Goodwin Fire effecting the community of Mayer, Poland Junction and Blue Hills, burning 14 miles south of Prescott. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAAir tanker makes a drop on Goodwin Fire | 0:26
An air tanker makes a drop along SR 69 near Mayer on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. SR 69 was still closed between I-17 at Cordes Junction and SR 169 near Prescott Valley. Arizona Department of Transportation
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAFire retardant drops on Goodwin Fire | 0:09
Fire retardant is dropped onto the Goodwin Fire on Tuesday, June 24, 2017. The fire had grown to 21,000 acres and burned at least some structures in its widening path, officials said early Tuesday. Arizona State Forestry.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAView Goodwin Fire from an airplane | 0:00
The Goodwin Fire south of Prescott seen from an airplane on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Spencer Dennis/Special to The Republic
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAArizona fire grows, more evacuations possible | 1:07
More residents are preparing for possible evacuations as a wildfire in northern Arizona continues to grow. (June 28) AP
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire, June 28, 2017 morning press briefing | 2:47
John Pierson, Southwest Incident Commander, holds a press briefing about the Goodwin Fire, which has burned over 20,000 acres near Prescott, forced evacuations in Mayer, Arizona, and crossed State Route 69, on June 28, 2017.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAScenes from the Goodwin Fire in Arizona | 1:25
The Goodwin Fire in northern Arizona grew to more than 20,000 acres on Wednesday morning. Here are scenes from the fire you should see. Wochit
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAFire crews battle the Goodwin Fire | 0:18
Firefighters battle “volatile and explosive” fuels as they try to contain the Goodwin Fire. Arizona State Forestry
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire forces evacuation of Mayer | 0:53
Mayer was evacuated June 27, 2017, as the Goodwin Fire came dangerously close. Resident Eveline Sandy talks while packing up her truck to leave, not knowing where to go. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire helicopter attack | 0:53
Helicopters drop flame retardant in Mayer as the Goodwin Fire approaches and the town is evacuated. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire forces evacuations | 0:36
As the Goodwin Fire continues to grow, more and more residents are being forced to evacuate.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire | 0:09
Azcentral.com reader Jennifer Johnson recorded this video of the Goodwin Fire as she was leaving Prescott Valley on June 27, 2017.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAWatch fire crews drop retardant on the Goodwin Fire | 0:14
The Goodwin Fire is burning 14 miles south of Prescott and south of the community of Mayer. Scott Craven/The Republic
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAHow to prepare your family for wildfire season | 1:03
Here are some tips to keep your family and home safe during wildfire season. Paige Schwahn/USA Today Network Wochit