The "Stage Fire" in New River is now 75 percent contained as of Sunday morning. It remains at 259 acres burned.
On Saturday afternoon, crews with Daisy Mountain, Bureau of Land Management, State Land and Management, Phoenix, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale fire departments helped battle the 2nd alarm brush fire east of Interstate 17 near New River Road.
Sun. AM #StageFire Update: Fire is 75% contained w/no change in acreage (259). Today crews will work to mop up hotpots around perimeter. Interior smoke may be visible. 2 hand crews & 2 engines remain. The human-caused fire started Saturday pm, NW of #NewRiver. #AZFire #AZForestry pic.twitter.com/rRcOz6QmF3
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) May 3, 2020
Arizona State Forestry said the human-caused fire burned an estimated 259 acres by Saturday night.
Officials said an off-duty Daisy Mountain firefighter first saw the smoke in the area and called it in around 12 p.m.
Crews built a fire line on the south side to stop it from reaching the three to four homes nearby.
Fire officials said air operations were used to make drops on the fire and a unified command was been set up.
UPDATE - #StageFire 200 acres & moving quickly through desert veg. More than 150 firefighters & multiple air resources actively working to suppress fire NW of #NewRiver #MaricopaCounty #AZFire #AZForestry @BLMAZFire pic.twitter.com/7lJZwtuxQ4
— AZ State Forestry (@azstateforestry) May 2, 2020
The fire burned in a thick wash area that hasn't seen any fire activity in over five years. Winds were reportedly high in the area, causing more of an issue, officials said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Watch video from the scene below.
