Fire at Show Low pellet plant prompts evacuations

A fire at a pellet plant outside Show Low began when an excavator moving logs caught fire, Show Low fire authorities said. Tuesday afternoon’s fire at Forest Energy Corporation spread to a pile of logs. As it grew, authorities evacuated some businesses and personnel east of the fire, officials said. The loss of inventory and equipment is pegged at $1 million, plant officials said. Air tankers were deployed and dropped water on the flames in efforts to prevent the fire from crossing the road and threatening nearby homes.