Welder cited for starting Pioneer Fire, which destroyed structures northeast of Valley

A man who was welding Sunday ignited a wildfire that destroyed property and shut down a highway northeast of the Phoenix area, authorities said.

The Pioneer Fire started before noon on North Pioneer Pass in the Tonto Basin area south of Jakes Corner, according to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

Jakes Corner is a census-designated community about 55 miles northeast of Fountain Hills, between Phoenix and Payson.

The Gila County Division of Emergency Management around 1 p.m. Monday lifted Brownsville Mobile Home Park from being under the “SET” status of the state’s emergency alert system, meaning residents there should be prepared to evacuate.

Residents in the area are now under “Ready” status, the lowest level alert which advises people to be aware of hazards and ensure you have emergency kits ready in case of evacuation.

Federal, state and local firefighters responded to the Pioneer Fire and stopped its forward progress. It was 75% contained at 10 acres as of 5 p.m. Monday, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management posted on X.

Crews were working to suppress heat pocket within the fire’s edge. Officials noted the blaze was no longer showing any visible smoke.

Investigators determined that a man who was welding a gate started the Pioneer Fire. He was cited for reckless burning.

No injuries were reported, although several structures were lost, the sheriff’s office said.

Four structures and an RV and two RV trailers were among those destroyed in the fire, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management said.

*CLOSURE*

SR 188 is closed in both directions at MP 270 due to a brush fire.

There is no estimated reopening time.

For real-time traffic info, check https://t.co/l4s0AFGOpz and the AZ511 app:
📱 Apple: https://t.co/YMcnUEeWQs
📱 Android: https://t.co/9oINS4ymQP pic.twitter.com/wsNcBaev4j

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 7, 2026

SR 188 was closed in both directions near Pioneer Pass (milepost 270) after 1 p.m. Sunday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Eastbound traffic started getting through again before 4 p.m., and the westbound lanes opened by 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

This is an updated version of a story originally published June 7, 2026.

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