Residents in the town of Wickenburg, south of Wickenburg, along U.S. 60 were ordered to evacuate Wednesday evening as the rapidly expanding Rose Fire reached approximately 166 acres, according to AZ Family. The Rose Fire, which authorities said has already destroyed six homes, continued to burn through salt cedar, grass, and brush.
The blaze began Wednesday night, leading to the shutdown of U.S. 60 in both directions and affecting residents, particularly between mileposts 114 and 116. Consequently, an estimated 100 homes were threatened by the conflagration, which showed a violent appetite for destruction, despite a heavy air and ground response from firefighting teams. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, those on the west side of U.S. 60 were directed to find safety at the Wickenburg Community Center, while those on the east side were advised to evacuate to Morristown.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management relayed through FOX 10 Phoenix that the fire at one point seemed unaffected by the fire retardant being used, prompting the launch of additional firefighting resources including a large Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT), large air tankers, and two scoopers to assist in containment efforts. Adnan Sherif of Salome spoke to FOX 10 Phoenix noting, "I'm going to stay here like two hours. Maybe hoping they finish the fire," as uncertainty filled the air among those affected by the closures and evacuations.
Amidst the chaos, some residents were allowed to return home just before midnight, except those living between the rest area and the Hassayampa River Preserve on U.S. 60, suggesting an active, albeit somewhat stabilized, firefighting front. Overnight, factors such as increased humidity and cooler temperatures assisted firefighters in controlling the blaze, as reported by AZ Family. Despite these efforts, Tiffany Davila, a representative for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management told AZ Family, "the flames have jumped the U.S. 60 freeway, so it’s burning on both sides," with the northwest and southwest sides enduring the majority of the fire’s intensity.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. Residents requiring assistance and those seeking real-time updates on the evacuation have been encouraged to approach the designated evacuation centers. Maricopa County Emergency Management has emphasized the importance of gathering water, snacks, medications, identification documents, pet supplies, and other essentials when obeying a 'Go' notice.
