Firefighters increase containment of Central Fire in New River to 36%

PHOENIX – The Central Fire in New River was 36% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities.

The blaze had not consumed any additional acreage from the previous day.

On Tuesday morning, the human-caused brush fire burning north of Phoenix had burned 4,499 acres and was 23% contained, authorities said.

There are currently 184 personnel working to contain the blaze, including 3 Type 1 crews, 4 Type 2 crews, 4 fire engines and 1 dozer, according to Southwest Area Management Team #1.

The fire sparked on Saturday around noon near Central Avenue and Mingus Road just east of Interstate 17.

Crews utilized suppression tactics and air resources are dropping both water and fire retardant on the blaze.

@Ten_Tanker making a drop to stop the spread of the #CentralFire pic.twitter.com/nESfVczLtP

— Daisy Mtn Fire & Medical (@DaisyMtnFire) June 20, 2020

Crews around the state are also battling larger fires – the Bush Fire, Bighorn Fire, Mangum Fire and Bringham Fire.

Wildfires in Arizona have burned more than 300,000 combined acres this wildfire season.

Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management officials said they’re concerned with the large number of fires that have happened in the state so far this year.

KTAR News 92.3FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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