It has burned over 4,700 acres
Continue readingNew Mexico and Arizona are currently the wildfire hot spots
The map shows 13 of the more significant wildfires that have occurred in Arizona and New Mexico over the last several days. Firefighters in southeast Arizona, in particular, have been very busy.
There are several wild fires mostly south and east of #Phoenix this evening with very prominent plumes. The #BigHornFire near Tucson has a plume reaching the far East Valley. The smoke doesn’t disappear at night but this Geo Color imagery fades it out. #AZWX pic.twitter.com/zT7ghuPhSw
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) June 11, 2020
Drones have been used on the Sawtooth Fire in Arizona
An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) module on the Sawtooth Fire, June 3, 2020. InciWeb photo.One of the aerial support tools firefighters have been using for a variety of tasks on the Sawtooth Fire 10 miles east of Apache Junction, Arizona are Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS or drones). UAS are gathering images and video and patrolling areas inaccessible to firefighters or larger aircraft. While this technology does not replace the need for large aircraft and helicopters, it does lower the risk to fire crews both in the air and on the ground. The UAS Operators are trained, qualified, and have constant communication with other fire aircraft.
Blue River Fire burns over 18,000 acres east of Globe, Arizona
Six miles northeast of San Carlos
Continue readingEvacuations ordered for Sawtooth Fire east of the Phoenix area
Affecting parts of Queen Valley — called “precautionary”, so firefighters can ignite back burns near the town
Continue readingSawtooth Fire grows to over 20,000 acres
The fire is east of Phoenix, six miles east of Gold Canyon
Continue readingSunset Fire closes Interstate 17 north of Phoenix
Nine miles south of Cordes Lakes, AZ
Continue readingSawtooth Fire, another wildfire in the Phoenix area, burns hundreds of acres east of Gold Canyon
One flank of the fire has spread into the footprint of the huge Woodbury Fire that blackened over 96,000 acres in June, 2019
Continue readingEvacuations ordered for the Ocotillo Fire near Cave Creek, AZ
10 miles northeast of the greater Phoenix area
Continue readingEast Desert Fire burns over 1,000 acres north of Phoenix
(UPDATED at 8 p.m. MDT May 19, 2020)
At 6 p.m. Tuesday all evacuations due to the East Desert Fire were lifted.
Firefighters have slowed the spread and the size is holding at 1,492 acres.
(UPDATED at 11:10 a.m. MDT May 18, 2020)
Arizona State Forestry estimated that at 12:01 a.m. May 18 the East Desert Fire north of Phoenix had burned approximately 1,500 acres. After the fire started at about 1 p.m. on Sunday it spread to the east and northeast toward Cahava Springs near the community of Cave Creek. About 130 homes near Cahava Springs were evacuated overnight.
The human-caused fire started near 24th St. and Desert Hills Road in North Phoenix. Hand crews are working to build fireline around the perimeter while engine crews are providing structure protection for nearby homes threatened by the fire.
Sunday at 8 p.m. the East Desert Fire made a run pushed by strong winds and dry conditions. The fire is burning through dry grasses and brush and other desert vegetation. Additional firefighting resources were ordered Sunday night, including 6 hotshot crews and 10 engines. Aircraft have been requested to be on standby Monday morning.
At 9:43 a.m. an RJ85 air tanker and an air attack ship were seen over the fire.
(UPDATED at 11:31 p.m. MDT May 18, 2020)
In an 11 p.m. update on Sunday Arizona State Forestry reported that the East Desert Fire north of Phoenix has grown to approximately 1,000 acres. Additional firefighting resources have been ordered, including 6 hotshot crews and 10 engines. Aircraft have been requested to be on standby for Monday morning.
Despite cooler nighttime weather, strong winds are pushing the fire northeast toward Cahava Springs and Cave Creek. Firefighters will be working Sunday night into Monday morning.
(Originally published at 8:19 p.m. MDT May 17, 2020)
The East Desert Fire has burned 300 to 500 acres near Cave Creek Regional Park north of Phoenix. It was reported Sunday afternoon east of Interstate 17 and north of Carefree Highway.
A report from the Arizona State Forestry at about 8 p.m. said the fire was moving into open desert country away from homes. Approximately five homes are being protected by fire engines. Helicopters and air tankers have been assisting firefighters on the ground.
The fire is three miles northwest of the community of Cave Creek.
