The Wildcat Fire raging in the Tonto National Forest has ballooned to more than 13,000 acres, with road closures and a growing sense of urgency among firefighters and residents. The wildfire sparked off north of Dynamite Boulevard and 136th Street early Saturday, and by Sunday, the blaze had expanded to an estimated 13,140 acres, remaining zero percent contained, officials said.
Emergency personnel have been working tirelessly to contain the fire and mitigate its spread, including 180 assigned firefighters, according to ABC15. Roadways near the intersection of Horseshoe Dam and Bartlett Dam roads have been closed as the fire burns on both sides, posing challenges to containment efforts, Scottsdale Fire also contributed to containment operations reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Meanwhile, Bartlett Lake visitors were quickly evacuated Saturday afternoon for their safety as the flames edged precariously close to populated areas.
Brad Widhalm, a Tonto National Forest spokesperson, has expressed concern over the intensity of the winds buffeting the area, "If we can't get around it like that and the wind just keeps pushing it, that’s our biggest concern. Tomorrow's supposed to be even windier, so tomorrow will be a day that we'll have to be on our toes and hope that our lines are holding and are secure," he told FOX 10 Phoenix. Adding to the gravity of the situation, fire officials, worried about the early onset of such a major fire, fear it could become one of the largest to hit the region if unchecked.
Local residents have also been put on edge, Cory Donaldson, who lives nearby the steadily encroaching Wildcat Fire, expressed his unease, "A little nerve wracking. Last year we had the one that was really close to the house, which is just becoming too familiar," Donaldson said, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. With recreational desert activities like UTVs and dirtbikes commonly sparking fires, there is a pressing need for caution among residents and visitors alike.
The Tonto National Forest officials have not only closed a large section of the forest in the Cave Creek Ranger District due to the ongoing fire, they are also reminding individuals about the danger drones pose to firefighting aircraft. "Drones and firefighting aircraft are a dangerous mix and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression. If you fly, we can't," a post by officials stated with urgency, as obtained by ABC15. The public has been recommended to sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System to stay informed if evacuations become necessary.
As investigation into the origins of the Wildcat Fire continues, the spokesperson for Tonto National Forest pointed to human activities as the likely cause of the blaze. With the community at risk and firefighters from out of state like Montana called in, the fight against the Wildcat Fire persists in the face of strong winds and dry conditions.
