Brush fire closes Interstate 17 in both directions near Camp Verde

PHOENIX — Interstate 17 just south of Camp Verde, about 90 miles north of Phoenix, was shut down in both directions Wednesday afternoon because of a brush fire, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

At around 1:30 p.m., the highway was closed between State Routes 260 and 169 on the way from the Phoenix area to Cottonwood and Sedona.

I-17 remains CLOSED for a brush fire between SR 260 and SR 169. Southbound drivers may take SR 260 through Payson to SR 87. Northbound drivers, may use SR 169 through Prescott to SR 89 northbound to I-40 eastbound to reach #Flagstaff. pic.twitter.com/iqSGYCkLbQ

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 26, 2018

Traffic is backed up on SR 89A near Jerome. We do not recommend using this as an alternate route because of the switchbacks. pic.twitter.com/r8JgIp1sZi

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 26, 2018

All lanes reopened by 10 p.m. Tuesday.

UPDATE: All lanes now open on NB/SB I-17.

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 27, 2018

Debbie Maneely with the U.S. Forest Service at Prescott National Service said two small brush fires — the 3-acre Pinto Fire and 5-acre Copper Fire — were burning along the I-17 south of Highway 260 at mile marker 283.

The cause of both fires was under investigation.

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