Interstate-17 reopened north of Phoenix after Sunset Fire closure
May 31, 2020, 9:45 PM | Updated: Jun 1, 2020, 8:54 am
(Twitter Photo/@BLMAZFire)
(Twitter Photo/@BLMAZFire)
PHOENIX — The Interstate 17 has reopened after the Sunset Fire shut it down on Sunday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The southbound lanes reopened around 5 p.m.
The left northbound lane reopened near milepost 248 around 9:45 p.m., and the right lane reopened early Monday morning.
As of 8 p.m. on Sunday the fire had burnt an estimated 4,000 acres as winds pushed the fire east of I-17 and north toward Badger Springs. The fire was 20% contained.
PHD – #SunsetFire Update: One northbound lane of I-17 has opened. 20% contained; fire remains at 4,000 acres. Use caution as you drive through the area as there are firefighters and emergency responders are still in the area. #AZFire
— BLM Arizona Fire (@BLMAZFire) June 1, 2020
Airtanker assistance were seen along with fire fighters on the ground.
Crews have also implemented burnout operations to fight the fire.
The blaze began as a vehicle fire near the Sunset Point Rest Area blocking only northbound lanes.
Eventually, both sides of the interstate were shut down as the blaze began to grow around 12 p.m.
— Daisy Mtn Fire & Medical (@DaisyMtnFire) May 31, 2020
KTAR 92.3 FM will continue to update this story.
