PHOENIX — Arizona’s largest current wildfire continues to grow in east-central Arizona as crews work to protect previously evacuated rural communities.
Officials said the Bush Fire grew to 190,269 acres and was 90% contained as of Saturday morning.
The fire, which is located about 22 miles northeast of Mesa, has been burning for more than a week. It is believed to be human-caused.
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Residents of Sunflower and Apache Lake were allowed to return home at noon on Tuesday. They are asked to remain ready to evacuate again if necessary until further notice.
Restrictions will remain on northbound State Route 87 to allow only one lane open. The southbound side was opened with no restrictions.
The State Route 88 Junction, which is on Apache Trail at the Roosevelt Dam, will open with no restrictions.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry said it has deployed six Wildland Fire Crews from the Winslow, Florence, Lewis, Yuma, Tucson, and Safford prisons to help fight the Bighorn Fire and Bush Fire.
The department said 113 inmates are actively fighting the fires.
Evacuations were lifted for Tonto Basin, Punkin Center, Pioneer Pass, Brownsville, Slate Creek and Jake's Corner on Sunday, June 21 at 9 a.m.
Residents of Tonto Basin and surrounding communities are asked to remain ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.
Roadblocks remain on State Route 87 at the Roosevelt Lake turnoff at the State Route 188 Junction and on State Route 188 at the Roosevelt Dam at the State Route 88 Junction.
Officials on Saturday morning said firefighters are using a range of tactics to fully suppress the fire.
Firefighters are working to protect what is at risk, including nearby communities, state highways, communication sites and power lines.
They will continue to focus on putting out any fire caused by embers floating from the fire that may spot over the highway and protect structures as needed.
Officials are posting updates on this Facebook page: facebook.com/bushfireinfo
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The Bush Fire became the fifth largest fire in Arizona's recorded history Friday.
Smoke may reach Payson, Heber-Overgarrd, Winslow, Holbrook, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale and north Mesa.
The fire was caused by a fire that spread from a vehicle, officials said.
The firefighting team was appreciative of donations and gifts for firefighters, but the team said the best ways to help were to be "fire wise" around your home or donate money to a charity of your choice for those displaced.
Officials urged the public to keep drones away from the area.
Other large fires continued to burn on the Kaibab National Forest north of the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona and in the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Coronado National Forest near Tucson in southern Arizona.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
