Fire burns through Phoenix auto yard

VIDEO: A fire ripped through part of a Phoenix auto yard on Monday afternoon. It started just after 12 p.m. in an area near 27th Avenue and Broadway Road where multiple used auto part stores and warehouses are located. Video from Arizona Department of Transportation cameras showed heavy plumes of smoke throughout the area, which is south of the Salt River. Aerials from Arizona’s Family News Chopper showed firefighters hosing down vehicles at a junkyard. Phoenix Fire Department crews have called a first alarm, but no other information has been released. The number of alarms indicates how big of a response is needed to help contain the fire. Arizona’s Family is working on learning more information. It is the second big fire to spark in the city in as many days. Over the weekend, a massive fire at a scrapyard sparked multiple explosions near the I-10 stack.
KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix

Elgin Bridge Fire torches more than 4,000 acres

VIDEO: A wildfire near Elgin, Ariz. has spread to as many as 4,000 acres, according to Air Attack. According to Arizona State Forestry, the Elgin Bridge Fire is about a quarter of a mile northeast of Elgin. Structures were threatened and evacuations were declared Monday. The blaze moved northeast through heavy grass, advancing up Mustang Mountain. Multiple engines, Arizona Forestry hand crews, tenders and aircraft, including Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), Large Air Tankers (LATs), Air Attack, and helicopters were assigned and helped to control flames. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office had closed roads in the area, due to the fire. However, deputies have since lifted the evacuation calls and reopened these closed roads. A Red Flag Warning is still in place for the southwestern portion of the state. In the video below a DC10 air tanker drops retardant on the Elgin Bridge Fire, helping to make some areas in the drop zone too wet to burn.
KNXV-TV ABC 15 Phoenix

Semi-truck engulfed in flames along I-10 in Cochise County

VIDEO: A semi-truck caught fire, engulfing it in flames on the morning of May 22 along I-10 in southern Arizona, says the Department of Public Safety. The truck caught fire on I-10 near Sibyl Road around 9:50 a.m. in Cochise County, and DPS says the fire began on the passenger side. "The road was temporarily closed while the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported. The roadway was reopened shortly after 11 a.m.," DPS said.
KSAZ-TV FOX 10 Phoenix

Increased fire dangers due to dry conditions throughout Southern and Southeastern Arizona

VIDEO: It's wildfire season and starting this Wednesday stage 2 campfire and smoking restrictions go into effect on state and federal grounds throughout Southern and Southeastern Arizona. Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire says she wants visitors to pay close attention to everything they do this time of year. “Under stage 2 there’s no campfires allowed regardless of if you’re using a designated or developed campsite. There are no open flames of any type. If you smoke it must be in a car or enclosed building,” Davila said. It’s also important to remember that smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings. The agencies involved include the Bureau of Land Management, Coronado National Forest and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. "There’s no target shooting or use of fireworks year-round,” Davila said.
KGUN-TV ABC 9 Tucson

Scrapyard fire contained after sparking explosions near the I-10 stack in Phoenix

VIDEO: A major scrapyard fire has been put out after Phoenix Fire Department and several other agencies worked early Sunday morning to contain it near the I-10 stack. Fire crews were called out to the scene near 22nd Avenue and Willetta Street, south of McDowell Road around 5:45 a.m. Video from the scene showed massive plumes of black smoke over central Phoenix as firefighters worked to put out the flames. Phoenix Fire Capt. Scott Douglas told Arizona’s Family that multiple explosions believed to be caused by magnesium were reported after the fire started. It’s still not yet clear what started the initial blaze. Authorities ultimately upgraded the fire to a fourth alarm, meaning a larger response of firefighters were on the scene. Electricity in the area was cut off as a precaution as Arizona’s Family crews spotted a power pole on fire.
KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix

2 Mesa officers suffer smoke inhalation at townhome fire

Two Mesa police officers were evaluated for smoke inhalation during a townhome fire Saturday afternoon. Crews were called to the townhomes near Recker and Brown roads after 1 p.m. Mesa police say it appears everyone was safely evacuated while fire crews fought the fire. No other injuries have been reported and the extent of damage is not yet known. The start of the fire has not been determined.
KNXV-TV ABC 15 Phoenix

Coconino County fire officials seeing illegal fire activity despite restrictions

VIDEO: It’s already been a very busy fire season, and restrictions have been put in place. But forest officials are finding some people simply aren’t following them. This is a busy time of the year when more people are traveling, especially up to the high country, but it’s important to know what you can and can’t do when you get there. Workers with the Coconino National Forest say they responded to at least 15 illegal campfires last weekend. Several Arizona national forests are enforcing stage one fire restrictions. This means campfires with wood or charcoal aren’t allowed outside of designated areas, and you also can’t smoke. “We have increased patrols, but especially on the weekends,” Andrew Hostad, the Fire Prevention Supervisor with the Coconino National Forest, said. Hostad says people have been better about using propane fire pits. But some are still breaking the rules.
KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix

Two hospitalized after fire tears through 2 houses in north Phoenix

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Two people were hospitalized after two houses caught fire in a north Phoenix neighborhood Friday morning, authorities said. Crews encountered exploding propane tanks and downed power lines at the scene near Thunderbird and Cave Creek roads, the Phoenix Fire Department said in a press release. A man in his 30s suffered second- and third-degree burns on his arms after he tried to go back into one of the houses to retrieve an animal, according to the release. A woman in her 60s had difficulty breathing because of smoke inhalation. She was listed in stable condition. Firefighters responded to the scene around 9 a.m. and found one house engulfed by flames. The fire quickly spread to a nearby home and other structures, pouring black smoke into the sky, and all occupants were evacuated.
KTAR 92.3 FM Glendale