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.

It started as a small brush fire but has reportedly grown past 200 acres by 4:45 p.m.

2 brush fires blaze the northeast Valley Saturday

The Sugar Fire and the School House Fire cause a scare to residents in the northeast Valley. Several homes were evacuated and more than 240 acres have burned.

The blaze had reportedly hopped Sycamore Creek Road (FR 402), which is an access road to Sugarloaf Mountain, northwest of the fire.

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.