Brush fire closes northbound lanes of I-17 north of Phoenix area

PHOENIX — A brush fire closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area on Thursday afternoon, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

The roadway reopened at about 5 p.m. By 5:30, delays still persisted for 12 miles and the right lane remained closed.

UPDATE: I-17 NB is open at milepost 256 near Sunset Point. The right lane remains closed. Expect delays to last. #aztraffic https://t.co/LD7IeZ4tBh

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 2, 2017

The freeway was closed at milepost 256, about four miles north of the Sunset Point Rest Area.

CLOSED: I-17 NB is closed at milepost 256, about four miles north of Sunset Point. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/7kmQxv2HmD

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 1, 2017

Delays were reported as far south as Cordes Lakes.

Drivers were encouraged to avoid travel or find a different route, if possible.

The 50-acre Badger Fire was moving toward the northeast. Some power lines were threatened.

Multiple engines, crews and helicopters were responding to the scene.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Here is a video of an Air Tanker giving ground crews aerial support on NB I-17 near MP 252. pic.twitter.com/daAUTEI1n5

— Daisy Mountain Fire (@dmfdpio) June 1, 2017

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