Fire causes 9 miles of backup on I-17 southbound near Lake Montezuma

PHOENIX — A brush fire has resulted in nine miles of heavy traffic near Lake Montezuma, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The fire is burning near milepost 292 and has caused traffic backup from 294 to milepost 285, according to a press release.

In a separate press release issued at 6:17 p.m., ADOT added that there was additional heavy traffic backup along I-17 from milepost 289 to milepost 241.

ADOT is encouraging drivers to postpone travel or utilize alternate routes to reach the Phoenix area.

The backup was initially reported by ADOT around 3:15 p.m.

I-17 SB is experiencing heavy delays due to a brush fire at MP 292. The backup goes from the McGuireville Rest Area to past Camp Verde.#I17 #aztraffic #Wildfires pic.twitter.com/WsZU9W7AbI

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 14, 2020

The brush fire near milepost 292 is one of several burning across the state.

Earlier on Sunday, ADOT announced that Bush Fire had resulted in the closure of State Route 87 from State Route 188 to the Bush Highway

The blaze started on Saturday night and had grown to to 7,745 acres on Sunday, according to authorities.

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