A brush fire in a remote area north of Maricopa County has grown to nearly 3,000 acres since it was first reported on Friday morning. The fire is located west of Interstate 17 and Bumble Bee Road, near Sunset Point.
Fire activity on Friday was high to extreme due to unseasonably dry conditions in the area, but firefighters made some good headway after working late into the evening, said Dolores Garcia with the Bureau of Land Management.
“The fire currently is at approximately 2,700 acres with 20% containment after the work that was done yesterday," she said.
The firefighters’ work has reduced the evacuation threat level to the communities of Bumble Bee and Cleator, Garcia said.
The cause of fire is under investigation.
“Right now, what we do know is we haven’t had lightning which would be a natural cause and at that point we know it would be a human cause," she said. "\
The specific activity that may have led to the fire is still unknown. Garcia reminds the public to check fire restrictions before they go out to recreate and follow those restrictions which can include no target shooting and no campfires.
Bumble Bee Road is closed between the Maggie Mine Road and the Crown King Road. The Maggie Mine Road remains open for travel to Black Canyon City and the Crown King Road is open and accessible from Bloody Basin and north from Spring Valley and Mayer.
