Bronco Fire in Tonto National Forest 50% contained shortly after igniting

The Bronco Fire near the Cave Creek Ranger District of Tonto National Forest is at 50% containment after it ignited Saturday night.

As of 8:30 a.m. Sunday, the blaze has not grown from about 60 acres reported Saturday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

It caused the closure of Forest Service Road 24, which is located north of Bronco Trailhead, after initially “burning at a moderate to high rate of spread due to red flag winds.”

A red flag warning for winds expected to gust between 45 to 50 mph is in effect through the weekend for portions of Maricopa County, according to the National Weather Service. With low humidity as another factor, wildfire danger has been elevated.

No evacuation orders have been put in place.

Crews, including one hot shot crew, are being assisted by six engines and personnel of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to combat the fire.

Officials did not say whether a cause of the fire had been determined.

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