Brush fire in Glendale forces closure of major road

PHOENIX — A brush fire burning in Glendale forced the closure of a major road on Tuesday, authorities said.

The 20-acre fire shut down Glendale Avenue between El Mirage Road and 115th Avenue, according to Glendale Fire.

Glendale Avenue reopened around 8:20 p.m., according to the Glendale Fire Department.

Glendale Ave is reopened after this afternoon’s brush fire.

— Glendale Fire Dept. (@GlendaleFire) June 3, 2020

The blaze had not threatening any structures and Phoenix Fire crews worked to assist Glendale.

You can hear the crackling of the tress as they burn during the second alarm brush fire. Crews are still working to contain it. No structures are being threatened. Glendale Ave will be shut down for an unknown amount of time between El Mirage and 115th Ave. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/FRXthvJN9A

— Glendale Fire Dept. (@GlendaleFire) June 2, 2020

The fire was one of several burning across Arizona.

The Sawtooth Fire burning about 70 miles east of downtown Phoenix grew to 21,000 acres and was 8% contained on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire sparked an evacuation for homes along Silver King and Williams roads in Queen Valley starting at noon as firefighters began backburning operations in an effort to protect structures in the area.

The communities of Elephant Butte, Hardt Tank and Angel Basin were evacuated Monday morning as a result of the lightning-caused fire.

About 20 miles east of the Sawtooth Fire, the Oak Flat Fire near Top of the World burned 2 acres and destroyed at least two structures before forward progress was stopped.

In Cave Creek, the Ocotillo Fire, which displaced about 500 people and burned almost 1,000 acres, was 100% contained by around noon Tuesday, when an evacuation order was lifted.

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