ARIZONA NEWS

Bush Fire containment grows as size remains near 187,000 acres

Jun 24, 2020, 3:25 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm
(Inciweb Photo)...
(Inciweb Photo)
(Inciweb Photo)

PHOENIX — The fifth-largest fire in Arizona’s history was 73% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Acreage consumed by the blaze had remained the same since Monday evening when containment was reported at 61%.

Some evacuations were lifted and roads opened Tuesday as containment continued to grow for the Bush Fire burning outside metro Phoenix.

Residents who were evacuated in the Sunflower and Apache Lake communities were allowed to return home at noon Tuesday, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Sunflower residents will remain in the “set” mode for evacuation until further notice.

Also, State Route 87 between Payson and metro Phoenix has reopened in both directions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

State Route 88 from Roosevelt Lake to Apache Lake and State Route 188 have also reopened, ADOT said.

On Friday, the Bush Fire took over the No. 5 spot from the Woodbury Fire, which whipped through nearly 124,00 acres in the Superstition Mountains a year ago. That fire, which started June 8, 2019, was not fully contained until mid-July.

The Horseshoe Two Fire, which burned through 222,954 acres in Cochise County in 2011, is No. 4 on the list.

The human-caused Bush blaze was sparked June 13 by a vehicle fire.

There are currently 522 personnel working to contain the fire, according to Southwest Area Incident Management Team #1.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Mesa Police Department Photo)...
KTAR.com

Teacher’s aide in Mesa arrested for allegedly sexual abusing 9-year-old girl

A teacher's aide at a Mesa elementary school was arrested for allegedly sexual abusing a 9-year-old girl multiple times on campus.
13 hours ago
(Screenshot/Phoenix Union High School District YouTube)...
SuElen Rivera

Phoenix Union Superintendent Gestson leaving after 8 years at helm

The superintendent of the Valley's largest public high school district is leaving after eight years for a university-level position.
13 hours ago
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)...
KTAR.com

Report: Arizona Jan. 6 rioter ‘QAnon Shaman’ released from prison

Arizona's horned Jan. 6 rioter Jacob Chansley, also known as "QAnon Shaman," has been released from federal prison.
13 hours ago
Follow @KTAR923...
KTAR.com

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! makes return to Scottsdale’s Arizona Boardwalk

Fans of bizarre, unbelievable items may be happy to hear Ripley's Believe It or Not! has made its return to Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale. 
13 hours ago
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)...
KTAR.com

Arizona Democrats sue third-party No Labels, Sec. of State Fontes

The Arizona Democratic Party filed a complaint Thursday against Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and newly recognized third party No Labels.
13 hours ago
(KTAR News Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Taylor Tasler

Arizona corrections director says drugs getting into prisons, has plan for reform

Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry Director Ryan Thornell knows drugs are in prisons and has a plan for reform.
13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.
...
Quantum Fiber

How high-speed fiber internet edges out cable for everyday use

In a world where technology drives so much of our daily lives, a lack of high-speed internet can be a major issue.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
Bush Fire containment grows as size remains near 187,000 acres