The Mountain Fire, burning just to the northeast of metro Phoenix in Tonto National Forest, has now spread over an area of just over 7,200 acres. The fire is believed to be human-caused.
The fire was first reported Friday morning and is burning grass and brush away from homes in Cave Creek near Bartlett Lake.
Bartlett Dam Road has been closed at the intersection with Cave Creek Road and is expected to remain so throughout the weekend. Campgrounds near the fire site are also closed down.
Carrie Templin with the U.S. Forest Service detailed some of the containment efforts that have been tried so far.
“We do have engines, large helicopter dipping water out of the lake, we have had air tankers on it," Templin said.
The fire is at 50 percent containment as of Sunday with approximately 243 personnel on scene.