Editing Heber-Overgaard, Arizona (section)

===21st century===
[[File:Rodeo–Chediski Fire.jpg|thumb|left|Rodeo-Chediski Fire, Bison Ranch]]
In 2002, the [[Rodeo–Chediski Fire]] was a wildfire that burned in Heber-Overgaard beginning on June 18, 2002, and was not controlled until July 7. It was the second worst forest fire in Arizona to date, destroying 268 structures in Heber-Overgaard, (mainly in Overgaard) and consuming {{convert|467066|acre|km2}}. Overgaard was evacuated for nearly two weeks while the fire was fought.<ref name="ncsu.edu"/>

Founded in 2005 and opening to the public in 2017, the Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory offers public viewing of the night sky using the largest dedicated public telescope in Arizona.  The 36-inch diameter telescope at Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory, bordering the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on Overgaard's east side, has some of the darkest skies and is the closest observatory to the Phoenix metro area.

Today, Heber-Overgaard has evolved into a retirement and tourism destination. Recreational and lifestyle activities such as hiking and fishing can be enjoyed in the summer, and [[cross-country skiing]] in the winter. With a four-seasons climate, the town is a haven for those wishing to escape the heat of [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].<ref name = heberovergaard.org /> Land ownership in the Heber-Overgaard area is private, but surrounded by federally owned lands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncsu.edu/project/wildfire/Arizona/H-OCaseStudy.pdf|title=Heber-Overgaard Arizona Case Study| last1=Steelman|first1=Toddi A|last2=Bell|first2=Devona|website=ncsu.edu|year=2004 }}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, nearly 66% of the houses are second homes. While the full-time resident population is 2,822,<ref name= 2010census>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=04 | title = 2010 Census Interactive Population Search | year = 2010 | author = U.S. Census Bureau | publisher = U.S. Government | access-date = December 6, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131033337/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=04 | archive-date = January 31, 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> summertime population numbers climb to nearly 12,000.<ref name= ncsu.edu />