Officials provide final update as Hazen Fire suppression operations wind down

Firefighters have entered the home stretch of suppression operations for the Hazen Fire in Buckeye.

The incident designation transitioned from Type 3 to Type 4 on Friday morning, when the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management provided what is expected to be its final update about the blaze.

However, there is still work to be done a week after the Hazen Fire started May 2 near Hazen and Rooks roads, east of State Route 85. The cause remains under investigation.

The incident’s size and containment numbers didn’t change overnight, remaining at 1,191 acres with 78% containment.

The fire had the potential to burn thousands of acres, according to Jake Guadiana, deputy incident commander for the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

“This particular fire had its complexities and its struggles. It was hot, it was windy, the river bottom was full of heavy, dry fuels,” Guadiana said while thanking firefighters during the final video update.

Officials ask public to stay out of area burned by Hazen Fire

Guadiana also thanked the community for its patience and support and asked the public stay out of the burn area.

“These firefighters are still going to be conducting mop-up operations, patrols and strengthening our containment lines, as well as rehabbing critical wildlife habitat,” he said.

A wide range of resources were deployed to battle the Hazen Fire, including engines, hand crews, dozers, air support from the Bureau of Land Management and an incident management team.

The effort successfully prevented the wildfire from spreading to the point where evacuations were required.

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