Structures destroyed after Oak Flat Fire breaks out east of Phoenix

PHOENIX — A fire burning about 70 miles east of downtown Phoenix destroyed at least two structures on Tuesday, officials said.

The Oak Flat Fire near Top of the World burned 2 acres before forward progress was stopped, according to the Arizona State Forestry.

The blaze forced the closure of U.S. 60 near milepost 234 at about 1:30 p.m., according to ADOT.

The highway was reopened at about 4:30 p.m.

Earlier Tuesday, the Sawtooth Fire burning about 20 miles from the Oak Flat Fire forced evacuations for some residents in Queen Valley.

The communities of Elephant Butte, Hardt Tank and Angel Basin were evacuated Monday morning as a result of the lightning-caused fire, which had burned around 21,000 acres and was 8% contained.

In Cave Creek, the Ocotillo Fire, which displaced about 500 people and burned almost 1,000 acres, was 100% contained by around noon Tuesday, when an evacuation order was lifted.

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