Officials provide final update as suppression efforts on Horseshoe Fire wind down

Fire crews are entering the final phase of suppression efforts on the Horseshoe Fire northeast of Phoenix.

Containment of the wildfire grew to 85% and fire activity was minimal on Wednesday evening, when Tonto National Forest officials provided what they expected to be their final update on the blaze.

The interior of the brush fire was still producing smoke and isolated heat pockets on Tuesday evening, but none of the activity was threatening containment, according to officials.

The Horseshoe Fire started in the Cave Creek Ranger District of Tonto National Forest near Horseshoe Lake on Thursday afternoon and was mapped at 233 acres the next day. The size hasn’t changed since then.

The burn area is on the west side of the Verde River and on both sides of Horseshoe Dam Road. The Horseshoe Fire’s initial growth last week threatened key infrastructure.

An emergency closure order remains in effect for Horseshoe Dam Road from Bartlett Dam Road to its end at Horseshoe Lake. Several trails in the area are included in the order, which will expire June 1 unless officials rescind it earlier.

Officials warned drone pilots to stay away from the fire zone.

The cause of the Horseshoe Fire is still under investigation.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on May 7, 2026.

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