WICKENBURG, AZ — 15 structures are destroyed after a large brush fire sparked near Wickenburg Wednesday.
The Rose Fire sparked within the Hassayampa Riverbed, about four miles south of Wickenburg, on the east side of U.S. 60 on Wednesday.
On Thursday, fire officials say of the 15 structures destroyed, seven of them were primary residences.
Watch the video in the player below to hear a Thursday morning update from fire officials:
As of Saturday afternoon, fire officials say the fire has burned just over 160 acres and is 90% contained.
Investigators later determined the fire sparked due to railroad maintenance operations.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Forestry said at least 100 homes were threatened at the height of the fire.
Aerial footage from the area Thursday morning showed multiple destroyed homes and lingering smoke.
ABC15 spoke to Kara Engemann-Tracy, who says her father's house burned down in the fire. Jerry Engemann evacuated safely, and now she's working to get from Wyoming to Wickenburg to help.
”They were telling him to get out of there, he was able to get my mom’s ashes, the cat, the clothes on his back and nothing else,” said Kara.
After losing her mother to cancer, Kara says her father had to cancel his home insurance because it was too expensive.
”It saddens me, everything is leveled to the ground, nothing left, no pictures of my mother, nothing of my grandma’s left, everything my family worked for years and years, is just gone,” she said.
A "GO" evacuation status was ordered by the Maricopa County Department of Emergency for the Rio Vista Hills community south of Wickenburg within mileposts 114-116. Those evacuation orders were lifted Thursday afternoon.
The Wickenburg Fire Department has reimplemented a "READY" status for the Turtle Back Mountain Ranch area and Reposa Heights.
Here's the latest evacuation information from the Wickenburg Fire Department and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management:
Residents in need of assistance can go to the Wickenburg Community Center, located at 160 N. Valentine St.
According to Wickenburg Fire officials, the Red Cross will be assisting at the community center.
Sat. 6/15 Fire Updates: #RoseFire, 70% contained; 166 ac. Crews cont. w/mop up today. Many resources being released to home units to rest or prepo for any potential new starts. Fire transferred to Type 4 incident. All lanes on US 60 open.
— AZ Dept. Forestry and Fire Management (@azstateforestry) June 15, 2024
📍5 mi. SE Wickenburg #MaricopaCounty… pic.twitter.com/gY6gX2eOYF
U.S. 60 was temporarily closed and has since fully reopened.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the fire. In a news release from FEMA, officials say 95% of threatened homes in the area are primary residences.
On Wednesday night, Wickenburg's Mayor Rui Pereira released a statement:
"Residents, We thank you all for your patience and cooperation during the ongoing #RoseFire. Our Wickenburg Police and Fire Departments, along with mutual aid teams, are working diligently to contain the fire and ensure the safety of our community. As of now, the US Hwy 60 remains closed, and evacuations are still in place for Rio Vista Hills. Turtle Back Mountain Ranch continues to be in "set" status, and we urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared. Our community's strength and resilience shine through in times of adversity. Together, we will overcome this challenge, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and courage shown by our first responders and residents alike. Stay safe, and please continue to follow updates from local authorities."
