Growth of Mountain Fire near Cave Creek halted, containment at 50%

PHOENIX — A fire near Cave Creek that has burned since Friday and forced a mandatory evacuation for campers at Bartlett Lake is now 50% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Mountain Fire grew on Saturday from 5,000 acres to 7,470 acres with 0% containment but Monday, officials reopened Bartlett Dam Road.

Recreation areas near Bartlett and Horseshoe lakes were also open again.

Containment had improved from Sunday’s 20%.

A previous update comes less than four hours after the first Sunday update.

The fire, which sits on the Tonto National Forest about eight miles east of Cave Creek, is burning east and northeast toward Bartlett Lake.

The fire, which was first reported around noon on Friday, was human caused and under investigation, authorities said.

Eight fire engines and three crews were on the fire, with air tankers and helicopters using water out of the nearby Bartlett Lake to help combat the flames. Additional resources were ordered as well.

A total of 243 emergency personnel have assisted with the fire.

Array

Follow @KTAR923