A fast-moving brush fire lit up the shoulder of U.S. 60 on Monday afternoon a few miles west of Miami, Arizona, forcing authorities to shut down the key east-west corridor and turning traffic through the Tonto National Forest into a slow crawl. Dubbed the Henderson Fire, the blaze had burned roughly 10 acres by early evening, officials said. Crews were cutting containment lines around the burn area, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or structure damage. The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
According to AZFamily, the closure is centered near Pinto Valley Mine Road, and authorities had not yet given a timeline for when the highway might reopen. The outlet reported that multiple U.S. Forest Service crews were at the scene, with additional departments also responding.
Tonto National Forest response
The Henderson Fire is burning on Tonto National Forest land, where Stage 1 fire restrictions are already in place and some recreational activities are limited while crews stay on high alert. The forest details its interagency response plans, as well as current closures and restrictions, on its website. For official updates, visit the Tonto National Forest site.
Fire weather and spread risk
The National Weather Service has flagged critical fire weather conditions across parts of northern and central Arizona, warning that gusty southwest winds and very low humidity can help new fires spread in a hurry. Those advisories highlight the risk of rapid growth when flames hit the region’s dry fuels. Check current watches and warnings on NWS fire-weather alerts.
What drivers should know
U.S. 60 is a major lifeline across central Arizona, so the shutdown near Miami-Globe is likely to tack on serious time for anyone heading to or from Globe and the eastern Valley. Drivers are being urged to steer clear of the area if possible and to keep tabs on live traffic reports through AZ 511 or local media for detours and reopening information.
This story will be updated as agencies release containment numbers and additional details. For now, crews remain on scene, and officials are asking the public to use caution around smoke, firefighting activity, and changing road closures.
