The Punkin Fire that led to an evacuation Monday near Punkin Center, Arizona burned 304 acres before firefighters stopped the spread. The blaze burned very close to State Route 188 which had to be temporarily closed.

On Monday the fire was being pushed by winds out of the south and southeast with gusts of 15 to 30 mph while the relative humidity was 10 percent.

The Punkin Fire is 40 air miles south of Payson and 15 miles northwest of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

Investigators determined it was caused by an escaped pile burn on private land.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Jeff.