1:30 p.m. Tuesday Update
An aerial flight has mapped the the Hazen Fire at 1,049 acres, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
"This increase in acres includes the burned area from yesterday’s firing operations," states a post on DFFM's social media.
Fire activity has increased this afternoon as the fire consumes vegetation within the interior of the fire," officials stated.
"This behavior is expected and does not pose a threat to containment lines at this time," DFFM officials stated.
Crews battling the Hazen Fire southwest of Buckeye made notable progress Tuesday morning, increasing containment to 10% as the wildfire grows to an estimated 992 acres.
"Today, we’re gonna go in and make sure that everything‘s looking good," said Bill Tavares, operation chief with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. He said crews will continue to burn fuel in front of the main fire "so that way we have a good edge all the way around the bottom."
According to fire officials, containment has been established along the southwest corner of the fire.
Overnight patrols of the newly established containment area reported no issues.
Utility crews also began assessing the fire’s impact. Arizona Public Service conducted an aerial survey Tuesday morning to evaluate potential damage. Ground crews are expected to follow with infrastructure inspections and develop a restoration plan in the coming days.
Background
The Hazen Fire had burned 980 acres and was 0% contained as of early Monday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). Fire activity continued overnight into Monday, with the blaze advancing roughly half a mile to one mile to the north and northeast. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire behavior intensified Sunday afternoon, producing a large column of smoke as it moved through dense stands of salt cedar — a highly flammable and difficult-to-access vegetation. Officials say salt cedar grows in thick clusters that hinder firefighting efforts while providing heavy fuel that allows flames to spread rapidly and burn intensely.
The vegetation also increases the risk of “spotting,” where embers are carried ahead of the main fire and ignite new areas, especially in gusty winds. Winds up to 30 mph have been a concern for crews working to slow the fire’s spread.
Firefighters previously reported success with a burnout operation along State Route 85, helping secure the fire’s western edge. However, spotting continued to challenge crews on the northern and northeastern flanks into Sunday night.
Crews have focused on building additional dozer and hand lines ahead of the fire, using roads and natural barriers where possible and coordinating with aircraft when conditions allow. Additional resources — including a dozer, a strike team of engines, and a hand crew — have been ordered to support suppression efforts.
The fire, which began in the Gila River bottom area, prompted the closure of State Route 85 earlier in the incident, though transportation officials report roads in the area are currently open.
No evacuation orders have been issued, but officials say residents may choose to leave voluntarily if they feel unsafe.
Air Quality Concerns
Smoke from the fire has affected air quality in Buckeye, prompting AccuWeather to rate conditions as “Poor.”
“The air has reached a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the report stated. “Reduce time spent outside if you are feeling symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation.”
