UPDATE 1: June 27, 2023, 2015 hours PDT

(L) Photo Credit: AZ State Forestry

INCIDENT SUMMARY

MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA — A wildfire named the Diamond Fire has ignited from an unknown ignition and is burning near McDowell Mountain Park, just outside of Scottsdale on this Tuesday, June 27, 2023, around 1718 hours PDT/MST this evening.

*** EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT ***

1915 PT: GO NOW: N Boundary: Rio Verde Dr, S Boundary: Jomax Road, W Boundary: 130th Street and E Boundary: 160 Street, plus anyone in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

1843 PT: WEST of 152nd Street, SOUTH of Rio Verde, EAST of 136th Street, NORTH of Jomax.

1829 PT: EAST of 136th Street, SOUTH of Rio Verde, WEST of 152nd Street.

1810 PT: McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

1759 PT: SOUTH of Rio Verde Drive.

1750 PT: WEST of 136th Street, SOUTH of Qual Track, EAST of 144th Street.

CURRENT STATUS

(R) 10 Tanker sits on the tarmac ready to be deployed as the Diamond Fire can be seen in the distance. | Photo Credit: 10_Tanker Air Carrier

The fire was first reported as one acre but after the rise of high temps, low relative humidity, and dry/heavy fire fuels, it has now become an out-of-control firestorm topping 700 acres at the moment!

The fire is reportedly moving east to northeast and is just outside of the city limits of Scottsdale.

Media Staging: 128th and Ranch Gate. SFD PIO will give an update in approximately 40 minutes (2020ish)

RESOURCES

Aircraft: 10 Tanker, T914, and others.

Fire Agencies: 25+ engines, hand crews on order.

(L) Photo Credit: Rio Verde Fire District

Resource Orders: E-2602 PHD out of the Prescott Interagency Dispatch Center at 1902 PDT/MST.

Incident Cooperators: Scottsdale PD, AZ State Forestry, Tonto National Forest, Rio Verde Fire District, City of Scottsdale FD

Animal Shelter: Cave Creek Rodeo Grounds 37201 N. 28th Street.

LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

“”This fire was about a mile from my house and is still burning. Power was out for almost 3 hours and it got really hot here. There were evacuations but east of where I live. There are many firefighters trying to bring this fire under control.” – Local resident. (1944 MST)

“You can see large flames burning on the hill in the distance. We’re here at 128th Street and Ranch Gate.” – News media (1930 MST)

(R) Photo Credit: AZ DOF and Fire Management

“Dear friends and lovers of wildlife: we are in the zone of the #DiamondFire. Our fire protocols are being enacted with an abundance of caution. The policy developed with fire departments is for us to shelter in place.

Small animals at the edge of the property are being crated and moved to the center. Staff is hosing down foliage at the perimeter of the sanctuary.

Thank you for keeping us in your minds and hearts, and thank you to all of the first responders working so hard to contain the fire.” – SW Wildlife Conservation Center (1918 MST)

“Smoke from the [Fire] can be seen in the distance from downtown Phoenix.” – News media (1917 MST)

“Fire has blown up outside of Scottsdale and the last update was 700+ acres. It is now threatening homes. A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued and is now in effect area north through Wednesday. Winds are 35-40 gusts and RH is in the single digits.” – AZ WX chaser. (1915 MST)

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog