The Cactus Fire is still burning about 4 miles northeast of Mesa.
Since it started Tuesday, the brush fire has grown to about 500 acres and now is 40 percent contained.
Gary Roberts, with the U.S. Forest Service, says he expects the fire to char about 750 acres total before being fully extinguished. Roberts says the Mesa Fire District is seeing an early fire season this year.
"From April 8th until today, so that’s just a little under three weeks, we’ve already had 15 wildfires on the Mesa District. So, we’re just asking for the public’s help in being very careful in being very careful with fire until we can implement fire restrictions," Roberts said.
Roberts says he expects the Cactus Fire to be 100 percent contained by Monday.
Fire crews have been able to protect developed recreation sites while keeping the fire away from utility lines and housing areas. Meanwhile windy conditions, which have fed the flames, are expected to return.
The Bush Highway remains closed between Power and Usery Pass roads to allow firefighters to work along the highway. Several recreation areas are closed.
