SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — The Wildcat Fire is at least 14,402 acres as of Saturday afternoon and is now 84 percent contained. It has also forced the closure of access to Bartlett Lake from the Valley. Tonto National Forest officials closed the fire area to visitors early Sunday morning after the fire grew from nothing to the equivalent of about 12,000 football fields in a day.
Officials said fire activity slowed to smoldering Tuesday with minimal growth reported. Favorable weather conditions will likely help prevent further fire growth over the next 24 hours.
The latest acreage estimate comes from Inciweb.
The wildfire is estimated to be contained by June 3.
According to the official report on the fire in Inciweb, the fire activity "slowed to smoldering and creeping Monday" and there was minimal growth.
Air tankers appeared to be working the eastern and southeastern edges of the fire Sunday afternoon. Additional hotshot crews were brought in overnight and early Sunday morning; six of the 12 elite firefighting crews based in Arizona are working this fire.
A second fire on the Tonto, the Basin Fire, started in the Superstition Mountains east of Apache Junction. It is currently at least 50 acres, but firefighters have been able to stop it from growing. It is being fought by crews from the Mesa Ranger District and Queen Creek Fire Department, along with four fire engines and one air tanker.
Sunday's fight was hot: Temperatures were high and local conditions were breezy.
According to NASA satellite imagery, the fire is burning most intensely in the Camp Creek drainage south of Bartlett Dam Road and west of Blue Mountain. However, the fire has also extended east to south of the dam road near Bootleg Canyon and has created spot fires — smaller fires started by wind-carried embers — north of Bartlett Dam Road both east and west of Horseshoe Dam Road.
The Wildcat Fire is burning in the desert about five miles north of the intersection of Dynamite Boulevard and 136th Street on the Cave Creek Ranger District near Rio Verde. It was spotted around 9:30 a.m., Saturday and quickly grew to the north and east, even as fire managers poured airtankers, helicopters and firefighting crews into the fight.
The Tonto National Forest said the fire grew overnight from 5,000 to 12,100 acres due to weather conditions and overnight crews were able to complete "fire suppression efforts to the north and the east" of the fire.
The fire is now most active on the southeast side of the fire perimeter and crews are working to create fire lines to keep the Wildcat Fire from growing further. Tankers and helicopters have helped slow the fire by dropping fire retardant and water.
The fire caused the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to close Bartlett Lake Road in both directions Saturday between Cave Creek Road and Horseshoe Dam Road as the fire jumped Bartlett Dam Road.
All National Forest System lands, roads and trails in the area have also been closed. To find specific details on that closure, click here.
Visitors who had been at Bartlett Lake were escorted out on Saturday.
Six of the 12 hotshot crews based in the state are fighting the fire. Prisoner crews from Lewis and Perryville prison are also on the scene, as are crews from the Scottsdale, Mesa and Superstition fire departments. Four fire engines, an air tanker, three helicopters and an air attack plane to coordinate the aerial fight are there, as well. In total, 180 personnel have been assigned to fight this fire, as of Sunday afternoon.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told 12News no structures are being threatened at this time.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a developing story and more details will be added as they are made available.
ARIZONA WILDFIRE SEASON
How to prevent wildfires
With temperatures beginning to heat up, fires are likely to continue, but there are some ways that you can prevent them from starting.
According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, some ways to prevent a wildfire from sparking include:
- Make sure a campfire is out by dousing it with water, stirring it and repeating until it is cool to the touch when you touch it with the back of your hand
- Refrain from using a chainsaw or welding equipment during windy or high fire danger days
- Use proper burn barrels when burning debris, never leave the fire unattended and make sure it is completely out before walking away. Also never burn on windy days.
- Don't target shoot or use fireworks on state lands, as that is not allowed.
Drivers can also help prevent wildfires with these tips:
- Do not throw cigarette butts out of a car window
- Check your tire pressure, as under-inflated tires can cause your wheel to touch a road or trail and cause sparks
- Never park or drive on dry grass or brush, as a hot engine can spark a fire
- Tighten trailer chains and other equipment so they don't drag on the ground and cause sparks
- Check your brake pads because worn pads can also throw sparks due to metal-on-metal contact
The ADFFM also has a mobile app that will alert users when a wildfire is in their area. The app can be downloaded in the Apple App Store or in the Google Play Store.
And there are some ways to keep your home safe in case of wildfires, according to The National Fire Protection Agency. Those include:
- Make sure your roof and gutters are clear of dead leaves and debris that could catch fire
- Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles to prevent embers from getting inside your home
- Install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers that could pass through vents into eaves
- Clean debris from attic vents and install the 1/8 inch metal mesh on those vents as well
- Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
- Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and other flammable materials from getting in
- Move any flammable materials away from exterior walls, including mulch, plants, leaves and firewood piles
- Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches
The NFPA also advises keeping lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches or less, keeping at least eight feet of space between trees, along with having fire-resistant construction on your home, including fire-resistant roofing and siding.
The NFPA also says to know and practice an emergency action plan with all of the occupants of your home in case of a wildfire, as that can save lives.
Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Evacuation
If evacuations are required due to a wildfire, they will be issued using the 'Ready, Set, Go' method, according to the Arizona Emergency Information Network.
If a 'Ready' alert is issued, that means you need to be aware of hazards that can threaten your community and make sure you have an emergency kit ready to go with enough supplies to last 72 hours.
If a 'Set' alert is issued, that means that you should consider voluntarily evacuating to a shelter or go to family or friends who are outside of the evacuation zone.
If a 'Go' alert is issued that means you need to evacuate immediately.
You can learn more about the 'Ready, Set, Go' system by clicking here.