Pandemic causes new challenge for firefighters bracing for wildfire season
Wildfire season is in full force, with dozens of fires already burning across the country. But this year's fire season comes with a new challenge, COVID-19.
A fast-moving wildfire in a north Phoenix neighborhood Tuesday forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes as several fires continue to burn through Arizona.
Arizona State Forestry said Tuesday night on Twitter that firefighters stopped forward progress of a blaze after it burned through about 900 acres. As of Wednesday morning, officials said the blaze was only 5 percent contained,
One primary structure and at least 10 outbuildings are confirmed lost.
FIREFIGHTERS FACE NEW CHALLENGES, CONCERNS HEADING INTO WILDFIRE SEASON AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
One home could be seen burning in helicopter video taken by FOX10 over the scene.
A home burns as the Aquila Fire rapidly spread through a north Phoenix neighborhood on Tuesday. (FOX 10)
More than 200 homes were under evacuation notices, including the Joy Ranch subdivision.
Maricopa County officials said the Red Cross set up an evacuation center at Boulder Creek High School
Forestry officials told FOX10 that residents who evacuated earlier are still not allowed back to their homes due to downed power lines, burning debris and hotspots. Some 1,600 people were reportedly without power.
All forward progress on the Aquila Fire has been stopped after it burned more than 800 acres in north Phoenix on Tuesday, according to officials. (Arizona State Forestry)
"Residents who evacuated earlier today will not be allowed back in until it is deemed safe to lift orders," read the statement.
Arizona State Forestry officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Some 120 firefighters were battling the blaze.
ARIZONA'S BUSH FIRE NOW FIFTH LARGEST WILDFIRE IN STATE HISTORY
The fire in north Phoenix was the latest in a number of blazes that have erupted this month across Arizona amid dry, hot weather.
The biggest fire burning in the country, the Bush Fire northeast of Phoenix, is now 73 percent contained, according to the InciWeb incident information system.
The Bush Fire has burned 186,967 acres and is the fifth-largest fire in state history. The Bighorn Fire north of Tucson burned 65,536 acres and is now 33 percent contained.
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In the northern part of the state, the Mangum Fire is 33 percent contained after burning about 71,043 acres.
The north rim of the Grand Canyon remains closed and is inaccessible due to road closures in the area.
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