Freeways re-open after brush fire torches 1,200 acres in north Phoenix

PHOENIX — Crews successfully battled a rapidly growing brush fire Thursday that closed two freeways in north Phoenix.

Phoenix Fire Department officials said the blaze began around 12:45 p.m. along Loop 303 west of Interstate 17 and was contained after scorching 1,200 acres.

.@ArizonaDOT image of brush fire that has WB Loop 303 closed at the I-17. Keep it with @KTAR923 for traffic updates. pic.twitter.com/EsB8wxZiiO

— Martha Maurer (@MaurerMartha) June 22, 2017

Both the Loop 303 and Interstate 17 were closed because of the fire. The northbound I-17 reopened on Thursday evening, followed by the Southbound I-17 and the SR-74.

UPDATE: Traffic is now flowing normally in both directions of I-17 in north Phoenix. #phxtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 23, 2017

OPEN: SR 74 EB has reopened at Lake Pleasant Parkway. L-303 WB is still closed between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Pkwy. #phxtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 23, 2017

NOW: I-17 will be closed from SR 74 to Happy Valley due to heavy smoke from the wildfire. #PHXtraffic pic.twitter.com/HG6qDsPR12

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

ADOT expanded the I-17 closure as the fire grew.

UPDATE: The northbound closure has been moved to L-101. #PHXtraffic https://t.co/m83TxTJW1a

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

UPDATE: The I-17 SB closure was moved 1.5 miles north from SR 74 to Pioneer Road. #PHXtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

Multiple ramps were also closed.

UPDATE: The transition ramp from L-101 WB to I-17 NB is now closed. #PHXtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

UPDATE: Both ramps from L-101 to I-17 NB are closed. #PHXtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

Drivers drivers were encouraged to use alternate routes, including State Route 74, though the eastbound SR 74 was closed.

UPDATE: SR 74 EB is now closed at Lake Pleasant Parkway due to the brush fire. #PHXtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

UPDATE: @azstateforestry reports the #303Fire is about 50 acres. #PHXtraffic

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 22, 2017

ADOT’s freeway cameras on the I-17 showed significant traffic backups.

A total of 100 people across multiple agencies had responded to the blaze, which quickly grew to 100 acres. Eventually, fire crews estimated that 1200 acres were burned. It was a 2nd-alarm brush fire. By about 6:30 on Thursday, it was contained.

They said no homes or other buildings are immediately threatened by the flames.

It’s unclear how the blaze started.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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