SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Fire crews have fully contained the Diamond Fire, burning around 20 miles north of Scottsdale near the community of Rio Verde Foothills.
Scottsdale firefighters confirmed the 1,960-acre fire that sparked June 27, was human-caused. Officials said the specific cause remains under investigation.
Evacuations were lifted around 7 p.m. on June 28. Residents in the area were urged to use caution as fire crews continued to work.
Latest fire updates:
- As of July 5, the fire is 100% contained
- Approximately 1,145 people were evacuated from their homes.
- Firefighters said only one structure, most likely an outhouse, has been damaged.
- The fire was human-caused. Specific cause under investigation.
FEMA getting involved
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized spending federal funds on assisting local fire crews in controlling the Diamond Fire.
FEMA funds can cover up to 75% of firefighting costs, including equipment, supplies, expenses for field camps, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
How many acres has it burned?
Fire officials said the Diamond Fire has burned 1,960 acres and is 100% contained as of Wednesday, July 5.
Are there any evacuations?
No. Residents west of 152nd Street, south of Rio Verde Drive, east of 136th Street and north of Jomax Road were allowed to return home Wednesday evening.
Are there any shelters available for residents who may be evacuated?
The Red Cross evacuation shelter was converted into a cooling center to help residents in need.
What roads or highways have been closed?
The McDowell Mountain Regional Park and local trails like Tom's Thumb were closed.
What other assistance is available?
An Arizona Foothills 911 organizer told 12News they are assisted with animal evacuations at the Cave Creek rodeo grounds. Veterinarians were also on the scene.
How animal owners handled the fire
Leah Darling and Caitlin Owen told 12News how important animals are when starting the planning process for wildfires.
Darling described the process to get five horses loaded up into trailers away to safety.
People like Darling and Owen, who live near the Rio Verde Foothills, said they weren’t taking any chances with the horses as the fire spread.
“We watched it grow, it went from something really small to something real big, real fast,” Owen said.
Owen kept a close eye on the flames as they inched closer and closer to the Almosta Ranch near Rio Verde Drive and 160th Street. She said she was able to keep the more than two dozen horses calm.
“They can feel stressed and triggered, the smell isn’t normal so, it’s chaotic trying to turn that many horses out at once it just causes chaos,” she explained.
But standing by for 48 hours were people like Jared Faraci, who was willing to help with the horses.
“We have trucks and trailers ready, that’s the biggest thing you can do, everyone’s still hooked up, remain calm and if we have to leave we’ll leave,” Faraci said.
Arizona Wildfire Season
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 of 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.