Superstition Fire and Medical District and Mesa Fire and Medical Department are at the scene of a brush fire that has jumped the initial fire break near State Route 88 in Apache Junction.
"State …
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2 brush fires near Apache Junction, SFMD says
Posted
Please avoid area of SR88 and Lost Dutchman -- a brush fire has broken out. Multiple agencies responding. Evacuations possible.”
Al Bravo, City of Apache Junction public information officer
Independent Newsmedia
[Update: The Lost Dutchman Fire is 10% contained and has burned 221 acres, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management said at 8:18 p.m. May 7 on Twitter @azstateforestry. “#LostDutchmanFire is 10% contained and has been GPS’d at 221 acres. All evacuations have been lifted. SR 88 and other impacted roads are reopened. Multiple engines will remain on fire to monitor overnight,” it said. Earlier, at 5:25 p.m., it was reported that about 160 firefighters were at the Lost Dutchman Fire. “#LostDutchmanFire, forward progress stopped. 260 acres. Roughly 160 firefighters and aircraft working to suppress fire near #ApacheJunction. Per #AZForestry IC, evacs remain in place. SR 88 still closed in area,” it said @azstateforestry.]
Superstition Fire and Medical District and Mesa Fire and Medical Department are at the scene of a brush fire that has jumped the initial fire break near State Route 88 in Apache Junction.
"State Wildland has ordered air attack and has crews on the ground. Homes are being threatened and the fire is moving north," SFMD officials said late afternoon May 7 on Facebook @sfmd.az.gov.
Tonto National Forest officials are assisting Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management on the vegetation-fire north of Apache Junction, according to Facebook @TontoNationalForest.
"Arizona Department of Transportation has closed SR 88 northeast of AJ to Youngberg --- in both directions due to the fire. Also, law enforcement evacuated area northeast of the fire. Firefighters seem to be gaining ground, despite windy conditions," Tonto National Forest officials said.
"#LostDutchmanFire is estimated at 40 acres and moving quickly through grass and brush to the northeast. The fire started in the vicinity of Lost Dutchman Road and State Route 88. A heavy air tanker, two SEATS and AA are ordered to assist ground crews and provide protection for nearby SRP infrastructure," officials said of Single Engine Air Tankers, Aviation Assets and Salt River Project.
The fire started northeast of the rodeo grounds, Apache Junction Police Department said on Facebook @ApacheJunctionPD.
"State Route 88 being shut down at Lost Dutchman to Hackamore. Eastbound lost Dutchman shutdown at Tomahawk. Fire is north of SR 88, east of Bulldog Mine Road," AJPD officials said.
"Please avoid area of SR88 and Lost Dutchman --- a brush fire has broken out. Multiple agencies responding. Evacuations possible," Al Bravo, City of Apache Junction public information officer, said in a 4:47 p.m. May 7 emergency alert e-mailed to area residents.
Fire east of Goldfield Road
SFMD also reported a second brush fire burning just east of Goldfield Road near Southern Avenue in Apache Junction.
"Superstition Fire and Medical District, Phoenix Fire Department, Scottsdale Fire Department, and Guadalupe Fire Department are fighting this first-alarm fire. Please stay away from this area," SFMD said on Facebook.
