Published Saturday, May 18, 2024, 2030 hours PDT

TONTO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA

INCIDENT SUMMARY. A wildfire ignited from an unknown source on Saturday, May 18, 2024, north of Dynamite Boulevard and 136th Street in the Cave Creek Ranger District, near Vista Verde in Arizona.

(L) A large tanker flies over the fireline and drops retardant. PC: Tonto National Forest

The fire was reported this morning at 0920 hours MDT and about five hours ago was said to have burned up to 500 acres. The information from various verified governmental agencies various.

EMERGENCY ALERTS. Officials are urging the public to sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System to find out about possible future emergency evacuations and any other important fire news in the area at https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go#County/Tribal%20Emergency%20Notification%20Systems

RESOURCES. Two Hotshot crews, three engines, an air attack, an air tanker, and one helicopter were deployed from the Scottsdale Fire Department and other resources through the U.S. Forest Service. More resources are on order from the initial press release from the U.S. Forest Service just before 1400 hours this afternoon.

(R) PC: MCDOT

SIZE UP. The fire was said to have burned through 100 acres about nine hours ago and is now around an estimated 5,000 acres with a 0% containment status as of 2000 hours PDT.

The fire is burning on both sides of the Bartlett Dam Road. Visitors are being escorted out of the area from Bartlett Lake.

NO DRONES IN FIRE ZONES. If anyone decides to take their drone up in the air and fly over the wildfire, this will cause Officials to ground all fire suppression aircraft and put the lives of ground firefighters and equipment at risk. Please just don’t do it.

CLOSED. Bartlett Dam Road.

(L) PC: USFS – Tonto National Forest

INCIDENT COOPERATORS. USFS-Tonto National Forest, Scottsdale FD, Maricopa County agencies: Department of Transportation and the Sheriff’s Office and Geronimo, Momon Lake, Prescott, and Globe Interagency Hotshot Crews, along with other crews from Perryville, Lewis, and Superstition. Three-hand crews and engines were also dispatched from the Arizona Department of Forestry, sent during the initial beginning of the incident.

INCIDENT COMMAND. The incident will transition over to the Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

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