WICKENBURG, Ariz. — Fire officials finally know what caused the Rose Fire, which burned hundreds of acres and destroyed several homes in June.
The fire initially broke out on June 12, southwest of Wickenburg along the east side of US 60, triggering evacuations and shutting down the highway. It burned 266 acres before being contained five days later.
Seven primary residences as well as multiple other outbuildings, vehicles and utility structures were destroyed by the fire.
Wildland fire investigators have since learned that the fire was caused by railroad maintenance operations in the area. A section of cut railroad track on the BNSF rail line appeared to be the point of origin, according to a release from the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Investigators believe that sparks from hot work or the use of a welder, grinder or torch is what caused the fire. Suppression costs are estimated to be just shy of $1 million at $971,000.
In 2020, officials determined that more than 80% of Arizona's wildfires were human caused. Across the state, 2,520 wildfires burned 980,000 acres that year. The department shared the following advice for preventing wildfires:
- When working outdoors, always check the weather beforehand. Keep a water source and shovel nearby and never leave a burn unattended. If using any type of equipment that may throw sparks be sure its equipped with a spark arrester.
- When recreating - be a responsible camper.
- Know before you go - check land status and fire restriction information. If allowed - and having a campfire, put it out completely and make sure it's cool to the touch before walking away. Drown, stir, and repeat.
- When towing a vehicle - take an extra minute to make sure tow chains are secure before hitting the road. Check your tires, as blowouts have been known to cause wildfires. And never, pull off into tall grasses. The undercarriage of your car can get very hot and start a wildfire if parked in dry vegetation.
- And finally, protect your property. Create defensible space. Cut back trees, reduce dead fuels, keep your lawn cut and watered, and remove all flammable materials away from your home.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
12News on YouTube
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.