Hazen Fire: Containment for fast-moving blaze near Buckeye jumps to 45%

BUCKEYE, Ariz. - Crews are still working to contain the Hazen Fire, which began on May 2 in the Buckeye area, and is fueled by heavy river bottom vegetation.

May 6 updates

7:57 a.m.

Containment of the Hazen Fire has jumped to 45%, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said.

"Firefighters will continue patrolling contained sections of the fire perimeter and checking for heat near containment lines. On the east side, crews will continue holding fireline to prevent further spread after multiple days of increased fire behavior and firing operations."

The agency also said smoke may be visible in the area. Additionally, APS crews will be on the scene to repair damaged power lines.

What happened over the last few days?

Timeline:

The Hazen Fire has burned an estimated 1,138 acres, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said on May 5.

"Today, a helicopter provided 87 bucket drops, delivering approximately 20,000 gallons of water to support firefighters on the east end of the fire," the agency said. "Crews did not need to conduct additional firing operations today. Fire activity consumed vegetation between the main body of the fire and the burnout operations completed yesterday on the east side of Hidden Lake. This natural consumption has been successful, adding to current acreage numbers."

Officials say multiple columns of smoke were visible, but the fire did not threaten containment lines.

During a news conference on May 4, Tiffany Davila of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said they can't put a timeline on a fire.

"All fires are different," Davila said.

She added that the fire will take time to contain.

"We flew an MMA flight today, which is a multimedia flight. It allowed us to see the heat along the fire's edge and within the interior of the fire, and there's still a lot of heat remaining," Davila said.

"You could see the 40-foot flames"

Local perspective:

Neighbors say that while they have not been told to evacuate yet, they are keeping a close eye, and have their bags packed just in case. People were seen transporting their livestock and horses from the nearby equestrian center.

"Everyone in the neighborhood, including us, were using hoses to wet our houses down," said Michael Conti, who lives in the area. "You could see the 40-foot flames, and you could just see how fast it’s spreading east."

Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, says people should be aware of smoke and limit their exposure to it.

"If you’re smelling smoke, you’re breathing in smoke. Just step outside and just monitor how it’s affecting your health," he said. "And if you need to be outside, just take it easy – don’t exert yourself too much. Minimize your time outside if you do start to feel being impacted by it."

The backstory:

The blaze started around 2:30 p.m. on May 2. Hundreds of acres burned in a fast-moving brush fire as crews from across the West Valley were forced to hold the line, unable to directly access the flames.

"It's burning some really heavy fuels right now on the river bottom. But your creosote trees. That's why you're seeing the large amount of smoke and fire behavior," said Buckeye Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Scott Balak.

Highway 85 was shut down in both directions for hours as the fire threatened the area. Some residents were left without power for a time after officials say the fire damaged power lines. The highway's northbound lanes reopened on Saturday night.

Over 100 personnel from agencies across the state, including local fire departments and federal partners, have been assigned to battle the fire.

Map of the area where the fire is burning:

BuckeyeWildfiresNews