Arizona's Rose Fire destroys structures, temporarily closing route to Phoenix
Firefighters battling the Rose Fire have faced extreme weather conditions. Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for five states across the West, including Arizona and California. The Rose Fire has consumed 150 acres and continues to threaten dozens of homes off U.S. 60.
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WICKENBURG, Az. – The Rose Fire destroyed multiple structures after forcing officials to temporarily close U.S. 60, which connected the town of Wickenburg to Phoenix, as dangerously hot temperatures continue in Arizona this week.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the Rose Fire started on Wednesday about 4 miles south of Wickenburg on the east side of U.S. 60.
Windy, hot and dry conditions helped the fire grow from less than 10 acres to more than 160 acres, prompting evacuations for the Rio Vista Hills community. The fire jumped the highway and continues to burn on both sides of U.S. 60.
The fire destroyed at least six structures, and approximately 25 homes are still threatened by the Rose Fire. FOX 10 Phoenix reports that about 100 homes were initially threatened on Wednesday.
The Rose Fire seen burning southeast of Wickenburg, Arizona, on June 12, 2024.
(Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management)
All evacuation orders have been lifted and residents were allowed to return home as of Thursday morning.
On Thursday, officials with the Arizona Department of Forestry said overnight cooler temperatures and increasing humidity helped decrease fire activity and kept it from growing.
The fire is still estimated to be 150 acres with no containment. Additional resources, including hotshot crews and engines, are arriving on Thursday.
The Rose Fire seen burning from an aerial view southeast of Wickenburg, Arizona, on June 12, 2024.
(Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management)
Officials said U.S. 60 remains mostly closed outside Wickenburg as the fire continues to burn on both sides of the highway. Downed power lines across the highway create additional dangers for vehicles.
The fire closed the quickest route to and from Phoenix on U.S. 60 near Morristown and south of Wickenburg. Traffic is being rerouted to Interstate 10 to circumvent the closure, increasing the typically one-hour commute by about 30 minutes.
On Thursday afternoon, Arizona Department of Transportation officials said one lane of U.S. 60 eastbound reopened.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Dangerous heat bakes Arizona
Firefighters battling the Rose Fire have faced extreme weather conditions. Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for five states across the West, including Arizona and California.
Forecast temperatures on Thursday across the West.
Dangerously hot temperatures between 106 and 112 degrees are forecast across southwestern and southern Arizona.
Phoenix and most of southern Arizona remain under an Excessive Heat Warning through Sunday night. Wickenburg is included in the warning, and temperatures are forecast to hit 104 on Friday.