New fire rages in Tonto National Forest

A new fire starting north of Fountain Hills Thursday afternoon had burned through 3,200 acres of desert by Friday morning with zero percent containment. A heavy plume of smoke could be seen late Thursday.

At around midnight fire officials had issued a “Go” evacuation order for an area bounded by 136th to 144th streets between Dove Valley Road and the Tonto National Forest boundary. A “Set” order for evacuation includes the area between 136 ^th Street to Box Bar Road (Forest Road to Needle Rock) and Rio Verde Drive to Dove Valley roads. That includes Trilogy at Verde River.

Friday, Rio Verde Fire District Chief Scott Krushak reported the smoke and air quality may be a concern for residents within the district. An evacuation center is at Cactus Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove Valley Road in Scottsdale. People should take prescriptions, water, snacks, identification and pets. Drive with care and follow instructions of emergency personnel.

As of Friday morning the fire was reported burning in grass and brush with about 180 personnel on scene with aircraft support, according to the Inciweb fire management website. The Arizona Department of Forestry and the Tonto National Forest are managing the fire operations.

The fire started around 2:30 p.m. June 27 about 4.5 miles east of Cave Creek in the Boulder Heights subdivision area.

The fire was reported burning toward two existing burn scars from incidents earlier this season near Bartlett and Horseshoe lakes on the Verde River. This is the fifth significant fire in Tonto National Forest this season.

Fire officials cite high temperatures, lower humidity and winds as a concern for firefighters in battling the blaze.

The Times Independent invites readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.