Crime & Safety
Phoenix Brush Fire Grows To 384 Acres: Authorities
Fire crews are working in gusty conditions, complicating their job of dousing the growing brush fire.
(Editor's note: this article incorrectly referred to the area as "Painted Mountain," and it has been updated.)
WITTMANN, AZ — The brush fire scorching the Painted Wagon area has grown to 384 acres, up from 180 acres Monday night, according to Arizona's Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The fire, which is 30% contained, has destroyed two trailers and two vehicles, a press release said.
Fire crews are working to secure a line around the fire but gusty winds are complicating their job. "Fire activity was minimal overnight, but is expected to pick up as winds increase into the afternoon," the release said.
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There is no known cause of the fire at this time.
The fire is moving slowly, the release said, burning through brush and grasses in the desert.
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Authorities have about 85 firefighters working to douse the blaze.
See the AZ State Forestry's tweets below:
Tues. #PaintedWagonFire Update- 384 acres & 30% contained. 2 trailers and 2 vehicles destroyed. Unknown cause & under investigation. Fire moving slowly thru grasses & brush. Winds could pose a concern later this pm. #AZFire #AZForestry #azwx @BLMAZFire @mcsoaz @maricopacounty
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) April 9, 2019
#PaintedWagonFire update, as of 8pm fire is 180 acres, still 10% containment. Fire still moving slowly to N/NE. Aerial mapping planned for 2morrow. 100+ firefighters assigned to fire. #AZForestry #AZFire @BLMAZFire @mcsoaz #Wittmann #MaricopaCounty pic.twitter.com/Qaz70goDVM
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) April 9, 2019
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