Brush fire causes backup of I-17 traffic heading north from Phoenix

PHOENIX – A contained brush fire near Interstate 17 backed up traffic heading north out of Phoenix for miles Friday afternoon.

Northbound I-17 was briefly closed between mileposts 242 and 244 in Black Canyon City around 11:45 a.m., according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Although traffic resumed, it was slow going during a time many Valley residents travel north for the weekend to escape the heat.

Even without unexpected delays like fires or accidents, northbound I-17 traffic is typically heavy on Friday afternoon and evening.

UPDATE: The left lane is open. #phxtraffic https://t.co/sRPTWK2H5x

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 29, 2020

By around 1:30 p.m., brake lights were lit up for about 10 miles, back to the New River area.

Forward progress of the fire was contained by around 12:50 p.m., according to the Arizona Bureau of Land Management.

PHD- Update: Fire on I-17 mm 243- Forward progress has been stopped. Fire is on private with no threat to BLM. BLM resources returning to station. #AZFire

— BLM Arizona Fire (@BLMAZFire) May 29, 2020

No other information was immediately available.

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