MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — The Riverside Fire, burning in the Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest, is now 41% contained.
The fire has burned 178 acres and forward progress has been stopped. Bartlett Lake Road has reopened but officials said Riverside Campground Road is still closed.
"Firefighters continue the arduous work of mop-up and securing containment lines around the fire. Mopup involves digging, scattering, and stirring any hot areas using hand tools with water or dirt until the heat is gone," a post by the Tonto National Forest on X said.
Forest officials are asking everyone to avoid the area for their safety and the safety of firefighters. They are also reminding people to not fly drones over the fire as that makes it so planes and helicopters cannot attack the fire from the air.
The recreation areas at Bartlett Lake were evacuated on Sunday.
“I think we were one of the last ones off the lake. The officer told us, asked, 'Did you know you’re the only ones on the lake?' Nope," Henry Smith, a man asked to evacuate, said.
Others determined to spend the day on the water were redirected to Horseshoe Lake.
Right now, three hotshot crews, four super scoopers, eight fire engines, two Type 1 helicopters and two water tenders are fighting the Riverside Fire.
A giant plume of smoke first called fire crews to Riverside Campground around noon on Sunday.
“The amount of smoke and color of the smoke led you to believe it was a little bit bigger than it was," Tonto National Forest Spokesperson Brad Widhalm said.
The fire quickly burned through grass and brush and sparked smaller fires in the direction of the Bartlett Lake Marina.
“The wind was just taking it everywhere," Widhalm said.
The wind required ground crews to call in for air support.
Two super scoopers and a helicopter took turns picking up water at the lake and dropping it on the fire.
“The lake is right there so it was just a two minute turnaround," Widhalm said.
Widhalm said the fire destroyed the campground, but crews were able to protect the marina and other structures around the lake.
“It didn’t look very good initially but those super scoopers came in and just did a bang up job," Widhalm said.
The fire is still active as of Sunday night, but crews have secured the perimeter to keep it from spreading.
The full evacuation list, evacuation center information and up-to-date road closures can be found below:
Latest fire updates
- The Riverside Fire is burning near the Riverside Campground on the Cave Creek Ranger District
- 41% contained
- The fire is being fought by firefighters from the Cave Creek Ranger District
- Everyone is asked to avoid the area
- Bartlett Lake recreation areas evacuated
- Forward progress of the fire has been stopped
How many acres has it burned?
- The fire has burned 178 acres
Are there any evacuations?
The following communities are under the "GO" order and have been asked to evacuate:
- None
The following communities are under the "SET" order and have been asked to prepare for possible evacuation:
No communities are under the "SET" order
The following communities are under the "READY" order and have been asked to be aware of nearby fire danger:
No communities are under "READY" order
What roads or highways have been closed?
- Riverside Campground Road
Are there any shelters available for residents who may be evacuated?
- No shelters are currently open
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.
Those in Arizona who have been affected by a wildfire or other natural disasters can seek assistance from the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-842-7349.