PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A wildfire that started Sunday afternoon in the Lower Sycamore area of Tonto National Forest has grown by thousands of acres in less than a day. Now, some area residents have been told to prepare to evacuate.
The Adams Fire east of Fort McDowell was reported at 125 acres on Sunday, but by Monday at 10 a.m., it had grown to over 3,500 acres. As of 6 a.m. Friday, officials say the fire has grown to approximately 5,029 acres with 86% containment. The acreage has remained the same in the last three days as firefighters work to combat the blaze.
Monday morning, the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management implemented “SET” status for the Goldfield Ranch Community north of Highway 87.
Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, the U.S. Forest Service issued an emergency closure for all forest system lands, roads and trails within a specific boundary. The closure begins at the intersection of SR 87 and Bush Highway, following southwest along the north side of the 87 to the forest border, then back north and west toward the McDowell/Yavapai Nation Reservation boundary. See a map of the closure boundaries here.
Assisting with firefighting efforts are 17 engines, interagency hotshot crews, Mesa Medic, air attack, two VLATS, one heavy helicopter, one light helicopter and two Super Scoopers. Officials said Super Scooper aircraft will be picking up water from local reservoir lakes. People in the area are asked to exercise caution and stay clear of the area where the aircraft are scooping.
Tonto National Forest closures and restrictions
Map courtesy of U.S. Forest Service
Authorities said to completely avoid the Lower Sycamore area during suppression operations.
Fort McDowell Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tonto National Forest and the Department of Forestry and Fire Management are responding to the blaze.
Early Monday afternoon, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced that northbound SR 87 was closed at Bush Highway (milepost 199) due to another nearby wildfire, designated the Catahoula Fire.
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