Ocotillo Fire in Cave Creek is 10% contained, 980 acres burned

PHOENIX — The Ocotillo Fire had burned 980 acres in Cave Creek and is 10% contained as of Sunday at 6:45 p.m., according to the Arizona State Forestry.

Previously, Arizona State Forestry had reported that 1,216 acres had burned. On Sunday evening, it tweeted out the correction and said the decrease was due to “more accurate mapping.”

The evacuation orders remain in effect for areas north of Spur Cross and Grapevine Roads and west of Fleming Springs and 60th Streets, the department said in a statement.

Residents of Rancho Manna and School House Road were allowed to return home at 5 p.m.

As of 5pm, #AZForestry & @mcsoaz have lifted part of the evac order: including, Rancho Manana & School House Road. Also, MCSO reduced the hard closure area. Evacs, remain in place, for the area N. of Spur Crossing & Grapevine AND W. of 60th Street & Fleming Springs. #OcotilloFire

— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) June 1, 2020

Firefighters on Saturday afternoon stopped forward progress of the brush fire that destroyed an estimated 10 structures and forced about 500 people to evacuate.

The state forestry confirmed that the fire was human-caused, but the specifics of how the flame was lit has yet to be determined.

The blaze initially sparked near Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway.

Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale and Guadalupe Fire Departments, Rural Metro, Daisy Mountain Fire and Arizona Fire Authority were working to contain the large brush fire.

#OcotilloFire at 750 acres. Crews working against hot temps, very day conditions, wind gusts & low RH. In turn, fire is exhibiting signs of extreme fire behavior. ⁦@RedCrossAZ⁩ set up a shelter at high school. ⁦⁦@mcsoaz⁩ will have evac info. #AZFire #AZForestry pic.twitter.com/AcKA5bf9d5

— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) May 30, 2020

Arizona State Forestry said they were also using an air attack to combat the blaze. Four hotshot crews have also been ordered to help fight the fire.

Authorities issued an immediate evacuation notice for the area.

Revised evacuation map (pink area) for the #OcotilloFire in Cave Creek.
Volunteers will remain at the Evacuation Center (Cactus Shadows High School) overnight to help those evacuated from the fire. pic.twitter.com/tLwiu3nupz

— Red Cross AZ (@RedCrossAZ) May 31, 2020

As a result, the following intersections were closed Saturday:

• Cave Creek and Basin roads
• Cave Creek and Spur Cross roads
• Cave Creedk and School House roads
• School House and Fleming Springs roads

MULTIAGENCY RESPONSE: @PHXFire, @ScottsdaleFire, @DaisyMtnFire, @PeoriaFire, @AZFireAuthority, @GlendaleFire, and @GuadalupeFire are among the agencies in Cave Creek working the Ocotillo Fire. Photo Credit: @azstateforestry. Stick with @KTAR923 for the latest on evacuations. pic.twitter.com/PUYdaX8iyr

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) May 30, 2020

The Arizona Humane Society sent a team of seven staff members, including medical staff and emergency animal medical technicians.

The American Red Cross opened an evacuation center at Cactus Shadows High School.

CAVE CREEK EVACUATIONS: The @RedCross has set up an evacuation center at Cactus Shadows High School, the address is 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd. There’s about 15-20 people here right now, just about each person has a pet with them. Stick with @KTAR923 for the lastest. pic.twitter.com/NzJf6IEf7g

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) May 30, 2020

 

KTAR 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report. 

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