Avondale Fire nears 1,000 acres burned; evacuations lifted

PHOENIX — A brush fire that started in Goodyear on Friday night is nearing 1,000 acres, according to Arizona State Forestry.

The Avondale Fire was up to 980 acres and was 5% contained as of 10 a.m. It was an increase of about 500 reported acres in two hours.

The fire was burning in the riverbed in salt cedar, northwest of the racetrack.

On Saturday evening, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation order for the Holly Acres community southeast of Southern Avenue and El Mirage Road.

About 30 people were evacuated on Friday night in areas south of Southern Avenue, North of Indian Spring Road, West of 119 Avenue and East of El Mirage, according to MCSO.

Red Cross Arizona has opened an evacuation center at La Joya Community High School. The previous center at the Avondale City Hall has closed, Red Cross Arizona said Saturday.

The evacuation was ordered around 10 p.m. Friday night. The sheriff’s office reminded families to bring essentials including prescriptions, water, ID, and necessities for pets.

As of Friday night, no structures had been affected by the fire.

The cause of the fire was not known to the sheriff’s office.

Due to more accurate info from fire command, #AvondaleFire is 500 acres. A majority of acreage is due to firing ops. Crews will work into the night to suppress fire. Fire in salt cedar w/n riverbed & is burning very hot & producing heavy smoke. 200 resources assigned. #AZForestry pic.twitter.com/HCEJyiCiw2

— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) June 27, 2020

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