MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — An evacuation order has been issued for the Sunflower area of Arizona due to the Diamond Fire.
State Route 87 has reopened following a closure due to the Diamond Fire burning near Sunflower.
Northbound lanes are fully open, while southbound lanes are reduced to one lane at milepost 218.
On July 24, the Southwest Incident Management Team 3 was ordered to take command of the fire, according to officials with the Tonto National Forest.
The fire is moving along State Route 87 in the northeast section of Maricopa County. As of July 27, the fire had burned 3,657 acres and was 0% contained.
The Tonto National Forest has previously issued an Emergency Closure for firefighters' public health and safety during fire suppression operations. This Order shall be in effect from July 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. through August 7, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., unless rescinded.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said evacuating residents should go to the town of Fountain Hills.
According to the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management, the Red Cross evacuation center is being established at 10424 N Fort McDowell Road at the old bingo hall at We-Ko-Pa Casino.
The center will provide information and resources for those evacuated.
Authorities with the Tonto National Forest said the fire started Saturday following a lightning strike. Smoke from the fire can be seen from State Route 87.
It has burned approximately 1,150 acres and is at zero containment as of July 24.
Five hotshot crews, nine engines and one dozer are working in tandem with aerial resources to halt the fire’s progression. More resources have been ordered.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story; additional details will be added as they become available.
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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.