A wildfire burning 15 miles southwest of Maricopa has doubled in size.
The Flying Bucket Fire has consumed nearly 4,100 acres of desert land in unincorporated Maricopa as of this morning, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Crews first responded to the blaze around 2:30 p.m. Monday and by that evening, it grew to 669 acres. The next morning, the fire increased to 2,000 acres of desert near Flying Bucket Ranch Airport, according to the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention.
Around 100 personnel from regional and federal fire departments have responded to the fire, including Thunderbird Fire District, Tucson’s Northwest Fire District and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Airtankers were seen dropping fire retardant on top of vegetation.
Damage is estimated at $200,000.
#FlyingBucketFire Update: Ground resources w/help from heavies able to slow fire’s progress on east side. SE side still active, but overall fire activity has decreased. Tues. afternoon’s high winds & warm temps significantly increased fire activity & pushed it out to S/SE… pic.twitter.com/s4ruBZfZZy
— AZ Dept. Forestry and Fire Management (@azstateforestry) May 8, 2024
Full containment expected this weekend
Containment efforts increased to 30% this morning, meaning crews created firebreaks and removed fuel from approximately one-third of the fire’s current perimeter. Officials anticipate full containment by Sunday.
However, weather conditions could factor into additional containment today, according to AZDFFM officials.
Weather conditions today remain hot, sunny and breezy, with temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees. Wind gusts could increase to 25 miles per hour tonight, which may present a challenge for firefighters.
Maricopa city officials say the fire presents air quality hazards to residents, urging them to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
Fire was caused by humans
This is nothing new for anyone who regularly follows Arizona’s wildfires. In the last three decades, humans ignited nearly two-thirds of the state’s wildfires, according to Axios Phoenix.
The region is on par with state trends. Thunderbird Fire District Chief Allen Allcott reported most of last month’s 22 fires were caused by humans.
“Several of them have an unknown origin,” he told InMaricopa. “We’ve had some caused by people leaving fires unattended, a couple unintentionally caused by welding, or metal grinding, as well as people burning off yard debris while trying to clean up their property.”
Although a burn ban is now in effect, Allcott said the potential for more fires is large.
“With the overgrowth of vegetation, lack of moisture, and negligent burning, we have the potential for a lot of fires this summer,” he said.
Source: Military test could be to blame
The Flying Bucket Fire’s unconfirmed cause has people pointing fingers in multiple directions. On social media, some have speculated the cause came from target shooters firing at propane tanks.
One source, who wished to remain anonymous, hinted the fire may have been sparked by a local firearms manufacturer.
“I was standing next to one of the [BLM] fire personnel and overheard that their unofficial belief is that the fire, the Flying Bucket Fire, was started by gunfire,” the source said in a voice recording sent to InMaricopa. “Not from civilians or people out target shooting, but coincidentally from Dillon Aero, right next to where the fire started, who was testing a military firearm.”
Scottsdale-based Dillon Aero, which manufactures military firearms and parts, has a range facility less than 1 mile from the fire’s northern boundaries.
A representative from the company did not immediately respond to several requests for comment.
