Brush fire ties up I-17 traffic, prompts evacuations near Anthem Outlets

PHOENIX – As motorists started heading out of town for the holiday Wednesday afternoon, a brush fire north of Phoenix prompted evacuations and tied up traffic on Interstate 17.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office evacuated more than 30 homes on the west side of I-17, north of the the Outlets at Anthem.

The agency said the fire had grown to approximately 10 acres and was threatening around 12 structures.

Per #WanderFire IC, @mcsoaz is evacuating an est. 3 dozen homes on the west side of I-17 & north of the Anthem Outlets. Fire is 10 acres w/ active fire behavior. About 12 structures threatened. #NewRiver #MaricopaCounty #AZFire #AZForestry

— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) July 3, 2019

Aircraft support was ordered to assist crews battling the blaze on the ground.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said the freeway was shut down at milepost 232 at around 2:15 p.m. and all traffic had to exit at New River.

Northbound I-17 reopened within about an hour, although vehicles were backed up into Anthem.

Southbound I-17 reopened at about 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE: I-17 NB has REOPENED at New River. I-17 SB remains closed at Table Mesa Road. All traffic must turn around at Table Mesa. SB traffic should use alternate routes through Prescott or Payson. There is still a heavy backup on northbound between New River and the Anthem area. pic.twitter.com/zPcMw4peY4

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) July 3, 2019

ADOT said it would take some time for traffic to begin flowing normally because of the heavy backup.

A record number of Arizonans were expected to travel over Fourth of July weekend, a large majority via automobile.

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