A brush fire ignited near Interstate 10 during the Friday rush hour, smothering the Avondale area in smoke and significantly slowing down the evening commute, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. The flames originated from the Agua Fria riverbed close to Van Buren Street and Dysart Road, with the incident reported at approximately 5:15 p.m., this incident marks the second brush fire in the area in a matter of weeks.
As the fire spread across two acres, Justin Ernst, the Assistant Fire Chief of Avondale, told azfamily.com, the fire's beginning was near the Dysart Road exit north of the freeway with the Arizona Department of Transportation cameras capturing thick plumes of black smoke rising above the city. Motorists experienced hold-ups on Van Buren Street, while Interstate 10 was obstructed by smoke and McDowell Road to the north and Avondale Boulevard was also hindered by related delays.
No injuries have been reported as of yet and the causation of the fire remains under investigation, the local community has not been alerted to any immediate threats; however, drivers have been advised to steer clear of the area and to seek alternative routes including Indian School Road and Buckeye Road which have bridges spanning the riverbed and are not influenced by the ongoing blaze.
During such emergencies, the roads become arteries of escape and connection, arterial routes like McDowell Road to the north Avondale Boulevard experiencing similar disturbances, as such, the response by firefighters and law enforcement shapes the safety and continuity of the evening's travel plans for many. For those desiring to avoid the gridlock and the haze tilting towards evening's deep blue, seeking refuge in passageways untouched by flame, the road less smoky might be found snaking along the stretches of Indian School and Buckeye roads, where the air remains unclouded, and the traffic less stifled.
