PHOENIX — According to authorities with the Tonto National Forest, the Bullet Fire is fully contained after breaking out on Saturday.
The fire spread to 3,355 acres, officials said.
Officials said the Lower Sycamore and Sugar Loaf areas will remain closed until they have been deemed safe.
Fire crews will remain still on the scene to monitor and patrol the area.
Smoke is still visible from State Route 87, officials said.
Fire crews had been fighting the fire, which was burning east of Fort McDowell, since Saturday.
Head to 12news.com/wildfires to get the latest information on all the fires burning around Arizona.
Bullet Fire recap:
Latest fire updates:
- Lower Sycamore and Sugar Loaf areas are closed to the public.
- A "handful of campers and people recreating in the area" had to be evacuated on Sunday, said Tonto National Forest Incident Commander Dane Johnson.
- More than 100 firefighters are working to contain the blaze.
- Officials have temporarily closed some forest service roads in the area, but the nearby State Route 87 has reopened.
How many acres has it burned?
The Bullet Fire has burned 3,355 acres and is 75% contained as of Tuesday. afternoon, fire officials said. Better mapping decreased acres burned.
"Currently, more Firefighters are headed this way from Prescott and the Apache Sitgreaves national forest to assist," Johnson said. "The public is being asked to stay away from four service roads 402 and 1851."
Are there any evacuations?
Apart from the campers already evacuated in the area, there are no communities under “GO,” “SET,” or “READY” orders.
Go to the Arizona Emergency Information Network website to learn how the READY, SET, GO evacuation system works.
What roads or highways have been closed?
Numerous forest service roads in the area are closed. Officials originally closed State Route 87, but the right southbound lane is open.
Arizona Wildfire Season
“It's yellow, it's dried, it's ready to burn and this could be a sign of things to come," said Brad Widham with the Tonto National Forest.
Fires have been breaking out in Southern Arizona over the past few weeks, making firefighters wonder what sort of fire season we're in for.
Fire officials like Widham say Northern Arizona probably won't see high fire danger for a while since there's plenty of moisture and, in some places, still snow on the ground.
While small, the fires already started have mostly been in Central and Southern Arizona, like the Bullet Fire.
Since no storms have come through the area recently, that could have caused lightning, and fire officials said these fires have to be human-caused.
“People just have to be smarter when they're outside," Widham said. "Be very vigilant of what you're doing."
Get the latest information on how to stay safe and protect your home during wildfire season in Arizona on our 12News YouTube playlist here.
Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them if they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
- Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
- Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.