Bush Fire Near Phoenix Nears 90,000 Acres; Apache Lake Evacuated

PHOENIX, AZ — The Bush Fire is the largest active wildfire in the nation. On Wednesday, as it approached a total spread of 90,000 acres, the fire continued to burn northeast of Phoenix in the Tonto National Forest and along Highway 87. Fire authorities say the blaze is 5 percent contained.

The cause of the Bush Fire remains under investigation, but it has quickly reached historic levels, passing the 2003 Aspen Fire near Tucson to become the 7th largest wildfire in Arizona history, KTAR News reported.

After the blaze roughly doubled in size by early Tuesday, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders to the Sunflower area, Punkin Center and Tonto Basin. Later that day, the sheriff's office added a "GO" order for residents to evacuate the Apache Lake area.

"Persons who are in the area for recreational activities should return to their homes immediately," the sheriff's office urged in a news release. "Those residents who live in the area of Apache Lake should travel towards Miami-Globe. Remember to bring snacks, water, prescriptions, identification and other important documents, change of clothes, leashes and carrier for pets, pet food, and any other necessary supplies for yourself and your family."

No structures have been damaged and no injuries have been reported due to fire, but weather conditions are predicted to remain hot and dry through the rest of the week.

The fire's movements have forced closures along stretches of Highways 87, 88, and 188. Updates on road conditions can be found at www.az511.com or by following the Arizona Department of Transportation on Twitter.

Meanwhile, fire crews continue to battle the 15,000-acre Bighorn fire near Tucson, which has triggered evacuation orders for communities in the Catalina Foothills.