Sugar Fire grows to 240 acres northeast of Fort McDowell
A small brush fire has grown to 240 acres in the Tonto National Forest. Officials said it was 30% contained around 6 p.m. on Saturday.
According to a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tonto National Forest said the Sugar Fire grew to nearly 100 acres by 1:48 p.m. and began southwest of Sugarloaf Mountain, west of State Route 87 and north of the Bush Highway.
Fire crews are responding to a wildfire near MM204 that is currently approx. 100 acres. The #SugarFire is located along FR 402 that leads to Sugarloaf was reported at 11:35. Resources responding: 2 IHC, 5 engines, 1 T1 helicopter, 2 SEATs, 4 LATs. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/gqnng9VvnV
— Tonto National Forest (@TontoForest) May 4, 2024
It started as a small brush fire but has reportedly grown past 200 acres by 4:45 p.m.
The blaze had reportedly hopped Sycamore Creek Road (FR 402), which is an access road to Sugarloaf Mountain, northwest of the fire.
Firefighters have stopped the forward rate of spread of the #SugarFire which is now 240 acres and 30% contained. Aviation resources have been released but four engines, two Interagency Hotshot Crews and one Type 3 helicopter continue fire suppression operations. #TontoNF pic.twitter.com/dJtr0rDx1I
— Tonto National Forest (@TontoForest) May 5, 2024
Air tankers, Hot Shot crews, fire engines and a helicopter have been dispatched to subdue the flames.
The fire was first reported around 11:35 a.m. on Saturday.
Firefighters have asked the public to avoid the area for the time being.