Bullet Fire 75% contained after burning over 3,300 acres near Fort McDowell
U.S. Forest service says blaze is 50% contained
FORT MCDOWELL, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- The Bullet Fire near Fort McDowell northeast of Phoenix grew exponentially Sunday night into Monday, consuming thousands of acres. It’s been holding steady since then and is now 75% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire, located in the Tonto National Forest, is burning in the Lower Sycamore area and as of Tuesday afternoon, has burned approximately 3,355 acres. The estimate was previously over 4,000 acres, but the Forest Service says the number was reduced due to better mapping.
Hotshot fire crews have been on the ground with air tankers flying overhead fighting the flames since Sunday. There have been no reports of structure damage. The Forest Service says the Lower Sycamore and Sugar Loaf areas are closed as crews work to extinguish the fire.
“Be very careful. Don’t leave your campfire unattended. Always put your campfires out. Be careful if you’re target shooting, what kind of ammunition you’re using, what kind of targets that you’re shooting at that can ricochet. You just have to be very mindful and very vigilant of what’s going on around you. Be very careful, because this may have been able to not have happened,” said Brad Widhalm, Tonto National Forest Public Information Officer.
While State Route 87 reopened around 5:30 a.m. Monday, watch for emergency vehicles parked along the roadway.
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