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Hazen Fire Near Buckeye Reaches Nearly 1,000 Acres With No Containment

Dense salt cedar in the Gila River bottom is fueling rapid spread that blocks safe access.

Overview

  • The blaze, which started Saturday near Hazen and Rooks roads, had grown to about 980 acres by Sunday night and remained 0% contained, according to state forestry officials.
  • A DFFM Type 3 Incident Management Team is leading the response, with dozers and hand crews building lines on the east as the west flank along State Route 85 holds after successful burnout operations.
  • Aircraft supported the fight Sunday with a helicopter and four single‑engine air tankers before standing down for the day under a Temporary Flight Restriction that also prohibits drones.
  • Officials reported no injuries, no homes lost, and no mandatory evacuations, while SR 85 saw precautionary closures earlier and APS briefly cut power after some equipment was damaged.
  • Crews prepared Monday for firing operations on the east side to remove fuel ahead of the fire, a common tactic in salt cedar stands where dense, dead branches can loft embers and speed the spread.