A brush fire of over 1,500 acres near Cave Creek has forced residents in over 100 homes to evacuate as of Monday morning.

The fire is at 20% containment, according to fire officials.

The Red Cross is assisting people at the main gym at the Cactus Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove Valley Road. People heading there should bring a mask and expect appropriate social distancing.

The Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical Department said the East Desert Fire came within about 100 yards of houses and forced the evacuation of as many as 150 homes.

Hot and windy weather were posing challenges to containment of the wildfire, Chief Brian Tobin said.

About 400 firefighters are trying to put out the fire, which has not damaged any homes yet.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has ordered six hotshot crews, 10 engines, and aircraft on standby for Monday morning.

The fire broke out about four miles north of Cave Creek Regional Park around 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17, according to officials.

Officials believe the fire was human-caused.

At the initial start of the fire, five homes were evacuated, one of which was vacant, according to inciweb.nwcg.org.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of Arizona in combating the East Desert Fire.

On Monday, the State submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant. The FEMA Region IX regional administrator determined that the East Desert Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs, according to a release. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.