Overview
- The wildfire reached 78% containment at 1,191 acres on Thursday after crews strengthened control lines along the west and north edges.
- A smaller force now includes two engines, two dozers and a water tender, with teams patrolling the perimeter, mopping up hot spots and finishing the uncontained southwest corner.
- Officials report no evacuation orders or structure losses, though Highway 85 closed for hours earlier and some residents lost power when lines were damaged.
- Neighbors kept watch and moved livestock as thick smoke and fast-moving flames drew close, with health officials urging people to limit smoke exposure.
- Buckeye pushed back on online claims tying the blaze to Bill Gates or data centers, noting the fire is burning invasive salt cedar in the Gila riverbed that can resprout and may require follow-up restoration.