Brush fire impedes traffic on northeast Phoenix roads near Scottsdale

PHOENIX – Road closures were implemented in northeast Phoenix on Tuesday as firefighters from multiple agencies battled a brush fire in rough terrain.

Pinnacle Peak Road was closed in both directions between Scottsdale Road and Tatum Boulevard, according to the Scottsdale Fire Department.

There was no indication how long the closure would remain in place.

Traffic in two directions was temporarily diverted at the intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale roads, but those restrictions were lifted at around 2:30 p.m.

PinnaclePeakRd closed from TatumBlvd to ScottsdaleRd for @PHXFire operations. Use alt route. #phxtraffic #FindTheBLUEinYou pic.twitter.com/Wh8uPEWcpP

— Phoenix Police Department (@phoenixpolice) June 11, 2019

After originally estimating the size of the fire at 450 acres, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said it had been mapped at 187 acres.

#AppaloosaFire remapped at 187 acres. Road closures and restrictions remain in place as crews continue to work. Fire started earlier today near Scottsdale Rd. & Williams Dr. Per @apsFYI, no customers impacted. Under investigation. #AZForestry #AZFire #Scottsdale @MaricopaEmerg pic.twitter.com/bR8MqiwZAo

— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) June 11, 2019

At 2:45 p.m., the Phoenix Fire Department said the fire was completely contained.

Earlier, Captain Danny Gile of the Phoenix Fire Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM the terrain made it difficult for crews to get their trucks into the area of the flames.

“We’re using our smaller … brush trucks, which is basically a pickup truck with a small water apparatus on it that we can get back in tighter places and use four-wheel drive and things like that,” he said.

“We’re using natural breaks in the landscape and those trucks to kind of contain that fire.”

Gile said crews from the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Rural Metro fire departments were on the scene near the Scottsdale border.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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