May 25, 1917: "About eleven o'clock on the morning of May 16, a big smoke was sighted from the Supervisor's office in Springerville, Arizona. At nearly the same time the Pat Knoll Lookout, Escudilla Lookout and the big Lake Lookout Stations reported a fire to the Supervisor's office over the phone. It was discovered the fire was only a short distance from the Pat Knoll Lookout Station, so Mr. Ellis Wiltbank, the lookout, was instructed to go at once. As Rangers Swapp and Rencher were in the office at the time of the discovery, they, with Administrative Assistant Billingslea started immediately. In two hours they arrived to find several cattlemen and sheep men already fighting it. After burning 100 acres the fire was put under control.
The fire was started by a Mexican sheepherder who had built his camp fire in some heavy bunch grass. He was arrested by the Forest officers above mentioned and brought to Springerville and they then took him to St. Johns, Arizone, and his trial was held the next day, May 17, and a fine of $25.00 was imposed." (The Copper Era and Morenci Leader)