Containment continues to grow on wildfires burning outside of Phoenix
Sep 1, 2020, 4:00 PM
Bolt Fire. (InciWeb Photo)
(InciWeb Photo)
PHOENIX — Active wildfires burning outside of metro Phoenix have consumed more than 153,000 acres, but the containment on the blazes continues to grow.
The Griffin Fire, which is the largest blaze currently burning in the state, has consumed more than 61,822 acres and containment grew to 81% Tuesday, up from 77% on Monday.
The Salt Fire burning 12 miles northwest of Globe has consumed 21,670 acres and has grown to 85% containment. The blaze was 71% contained over the weekend.
The Rockhouse Fire is a lightning-caused blaze that started Aug. 21. The fire has consumed at least 19,506 acres and is 0% contained. More than 80 personnel are working to contain the blaze, but dry and breezy conditions are posing challenges.
The Superstition Fire had burned 9,539 and was at 58% containment as of the latest update provided Monday. Eastbound State Route 88 from northeast of Apache Junction to the Apache Lake has been reopened.
The Medicine Fire has grown to 90% contained from 80% on Monday. The acreage burned remained at 8,930 in Tuesday’s update.
The Hidden Fire has burned 5,030 acres and is 20% contained. The lightning-caused fire was only at 2% on Monday.
The Bolt Fire, burning north of Phoenix, has burned 1,420 acres and was 50% contained as of Monday evening.
Over 800,000 acres have been destroyed by wildfires in Arizona this year. Wildfire activity usually burns out by July because of seasonal monsoon rainfall, but those storms have largely failed to materialize.
