The final update on the Wildcat Fire brings a mixture of caution and relief as firefighters nearly extinguish the blaze that has ravaged over 14,000 acres near the community of Desert Mountain and Tonto Hills. The conflagration, determined to be human-caused, has been blazing since May 18 and is now reported to be 84% contained.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire currently spans approximately 14,402 acres but held its ground on Friday, showing no further growth thanks to the exhaustive efforts of fire personnel. The firefighting team, comprised of one crew, 7 fire engines, and 2 water tenders, is now down to 90 personnel who are focused on suppression activities.
A modified closure order is still in effect for the Cave Creek Ranger District. It reinstates public access to several roads, including Rio Verde Drive and Bartlett Dam Road, though visitors are urged to remain vigilant and drive carefully through the active areas. The Tonto National Forest website provides details on the restrictions and closure orders for those planning visits.
The public is also advised to be mindful of the smoke, still visible from the Wildcat Fire, and to take necessary precautions, especially if they have health issues that could be exacerbated by the air quality. Resources like the interactive smoke map have been made available to keep residents informed of the conditions.
All district ranger stations and the Supervisor's Office of the Tonto National Forest will be shut down today in observance of Memorial Day but will resume normal operations tomorrow. The Forest Service encourages the community to stay alert by signing up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System and to keep abreast of updates via their official links, as there will be no more daily reports from the Central Arizona Type III Incident Management Team.
