APACHE JUNCTION, AZ — Fire crews are battling a wildfire near Apache Junction and another near New River, and evacuations were ordered for some areas.
The fires have been named the Siphon Fire and the Point Fire.
Siphon Fire
The Siphon Fire has burned more than 15,500 acres in the Superstition Wilderness northeast of Apache Junction and is at 32% containment as of Monday.
#SiphonFire Morning Update:
— Tonto National Forest (@TontoForest) September 16, 2024
The #SiphonFire is currently 15,527 acres with 32% containment. The acreage change is due to more accurate mapping. Crews continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s perimeter and improve existing firelines. pic.twitter.com/3sVpaNIUZD
The evacuation order for the Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat was lifted on Sunday evening.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Ryan Coady, the co-owner of Tortilla Flat, says they’ve been through these types of situations before and are just hoping for the best right now.
“Hopefully, we make it through this and we're going right into the cool season. Hopefully, we're just adding another story and not a final chapter,” he said.
An ABC15 viewer shared a view of the fire burning Tuesday night with flames and smoke seen from nearby neighborhoods.
Point Fire
The Point Fire is burning five miles northeast of New River near West Point Mountain, Tonto National Forest officials said Tuesday.
The fire has charred about 5,554 acres of rocky terrain as of Sautrday night and is believed to be human-caused. It is 42% contained.
Officials say no communities are immediately threatened, but residents should remain aware and follow fire updates.
The public is advised to avoid Forest Road 41, Spur Cross Road, and Cottonwood (Spur Cross) Trailhead.
The #PointFire is 2491 acres and is currently 0% contained. The cause remains under investigation. The public is advised to avoid Forest Road 41 while firefighters are engaged in fire suppression efforts. Smoke and flames will be visible. pic.twitter.com/D5ea8pWnBo
— Tonto National Forest (@TontoForest) September 12, 2024
See video from the scene Wednesday morning in the video player below:
Air quality and other firefighting efforts
The fires, combined with California wildfire smoke, caused hazy conditions in the Valley on Wednesday.
High winds and dry conditions are increasing wildfire risk across Arizona. A Fire Weather Warning (also known as a Red Flag Warning) was issued for Mohave County on Wednesday.
Smoke from wildfires burning in California is also pushing into Arizona. Much of this will stay high in the sky and have little impact on the air we breathe near the ground, ABC15 meteorologists said early Wednesday.
Multiple other fires are burning around the state including the West and Preacher fires, which are thousands of acres in size and 0% contained.
