Heat, flames, and emergency sirens, the weekend in Arizona was marked by the blaze that came to be known as the Table Fire, scorching over 600 acres near New River. The wildfire initially reported on June 1, forced the shutdown of Interstate 17 northbound for hours, creating a backup to rapidly start to form as the fire teams battled the consuming flames. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the arterial road was closed near Table Mesa Road after the fire's outbreak.
While the road has since been reopened, the brush fire successfully was able to nearly fully contain, with reports sitting at 85%. North of the Phoenix metro, the swirling smoke and the sight of helicopters overhead became a weekend spectacle as the fire approached close to the communities. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, together with local teams, worked the scene throughout the weekend to halt the advancing flames, as indicated by AZ Family.
During the closure of I-17, cars were turned away at Table Mesa Road and directed south to another detour, causing considerable travel headaches. The freeway's opening came as a welcome relief for those caught in the swelter of diverted pathways and the anxiety that accompanies the potential spread of wildfires. To combat the blaze, crews employed a variety of tactics including two hand crews, six engines, and the aerial support of a helicopter. In preparation for possible further incidents, one hand crew has been released, standing by to respond to any new fire emergencies.
The size of the fire was initially estimated at 850 acres but was revised downward to 676 acres following more accurate mapping, stated officials.
