The Bush Fire northeast of metro Phoenix surged overnight and is fast becoming one of the largest wildfires in Arizona history.
The blaze’s footprint in the Tonto National Forest between Fountain Hills and Roosevelt Lake expanded to 64,513 acres with 0% containment by Tuesday morning, according to forest officials, making it the largest current wildfire in the nation.
About 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes in Punkin Center and Tonto Basin because of the fire, which was reported at 37,000 acres Monday night. Earlier Monday, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office raised the alert level for residents in Jakes Corner and Sunflower to “set,” the highest level before an evacuation order. No homes have been damaged.
The Bush Fire is on the verge of the top 10 for largest wildfires in state history.