Containment grows on major wildfires burning throughout Arizona
Jun 29, 2020, 9:02 AM | Updated: 11:57 am
(Mike McMillan/McCall Smokejumpers via InciWeb)
(Mike McMillan/McCall Smokejumpers via InciWeb)
PHOENIX – More than 460,000 acres of land have burned in wildfires in Arizona this year.
Three of those fires — the Bush Fire, Bighorn Fire and Mangum Fire — rank in the top 10 largest blazes in the state’s history.
Here’s a look at where the biggest active wildfires in the Arizona stand in terms of size and containment.
Mangum Fire
The Mangum Fire in the Kaibab National Forest had scorched 71,450 acres and was 63% contained as of Monday morning.
On Saturday, the fire was 51% contained.
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The north rim of the Grand Canyon will reopen Tuesday after being closed from the fire.
Crews reopened Highway 89A through Jacob Lake and Highway 67 on Sunday for public travel.
There are no evacuations in place.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Bush Fire
Burning northeast of Metro Phoenix, the Bush Fire had consumed 193,455 acres and was 98% contained as of Monday morning.
Those numbers mark a nearly 3,000 acre increase and 8% improvement from 90% as of Saturday afternoon.
The fire was 73% contained on Wednesday.
It ranks as the fifth largest fire in state history.
There are no evacuations in place.
The human-caused Bush blaze was sparked June 13 by a vehicle fire.
Central Fire
As of Monday morning, the Central Fire near New River had burned 4,499 acres and was 87% contained, which was the same as Sunday’s report.
There is currently minimal activity on the human-caused blaze.
There are no evacuations in place.
Bringham Fire
The Bringham Fire in eastern Arizona had burned 22,903 acres and was 37% contained as of Friday afternoon.
The lighting-caused fire is burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
There has been little movement on the fire throughout the week despite high winds.
Highway 191 from mile marker 189 past Juan Miller Road to mile marker 225 at Blue Vista will be closed through July 4.
Crews expect hot temperatures and low humidity to continue in the region through early next week.
There are no evacuations in place.
Aquila Fire
As of Friday morning, the Aquila Fire was 100% contained.
The blaze burned 893 acres and damaged multiple structures, including one home.
The fire started Tuesday northeast of Interstate 17 and Carefree Highway.
Officials said the fire was human-caused and the investigation is ongoing.
