A Type 3 incident team on Tuesday took control of a wildfire burning northeast of Scottsdale, authorities said.
The Verde Fire grew more than 700 acres to 2,690 acres because of strong winds from passing thunderstorms overnight Monday, Carrie Templin, a spokeswoman for the Forest Service, said in an email.
Fire activity was less during the day Tuesday because of cooler temperatures and overcast skies, Templin said. Almost 100 personnel have been assigned to fight the fire, which is about 15 miles from Scottsdale and remains 0% contained. Smoke was visible from parts of the East Valley, Fountain Hills, Rio Verde and along the Fort McDowell-State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) corridor.