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As the Diamond Fire continues to burn in north Scottsdale, here are the latest updates.
Beginning at around 5:15 pm on Tuesday, June 27, near 130th and Ranch Gate Road, the brush fire quickly sprawled into an estimated 2,500-acre wildfire.
At a news briefing Wednesday morning, Tiffany Davila, spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the fire remained at 0% containment, and winds were expected to pick up later Wednesday.
According to InciWeb, Diamond impacted multiple homes and forced evacuations by Scottsdale Police. Scottsdale reported that nearly 100-plus homes had been evacuated, affecting around 1,145 people.
“Approximately 25–30 engines are assigned to the fire, also working structure protection along the southern flank of the fire. We have one report of a secondary structure lost, but due to the fire activity, a full damage assessment cannot be conducted at this time. Aircraft has finished up for the night and remains assigned to the fire if needed again on Wednesday,” officials said on InciWeb.
Diamond Fire:Evacuations ordered in Scottsdale as brush fire rages near McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Where is the Diamond Fire?
The Diamond Fire started near 130th and Ranch Gate Road in north Scottsdale, 11 miles southwest of the Rio Verde community.
The fire quickly began moving east toward the McDowell Mountain Regional Park, according to Scottsdale police.
Where are evacuations?
A slew of evacuation orders had gone out shortly after the blaze began, affecting residents near:
- West of 152nd Street.
- South of Rio Verde Drive.
- East of 136th Street.
- North of Jomax Road.
Our Guides:Everything you need to know about wildfire season safety
At 7:25 am on Wednesday, Scottsdale fire officials posted on Twitter that those living near the fire should be in a “set” or be alert in regard to the fire.
In the parched community of Rio Verde Foothills, where many homes have been without a stable water supply for months, residents rallied to get neighbors and animals out of the fire’s path as quickly as possible. Cody Reim, one of the people who helped move livestock , said the winds shifted the flames away from the community “literally at the last minute.”“It was absolutely a miracle,” he said. Foothills residents told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday night that they were unaware of any injuries. But many could still see the orange glow from McDowell Mountain Regional Park as they went to bed.
One secondary structure was lost, Davila said.
Closures for the Diamond Fire
Eastbound traffic at 128th Street and Ranch Gate Road had been closed as crews got to work on controlling the blaze.
Those in the area near Rio Verde, 144th Street, Desert Holly Drive and 130th Street were also asked to avoid the area.
McDowell Mountain Park has been closed until further notice.
According to a tweet from the Scottsdalethe Scottsdale Fraesfield and Tom’s Thumb trailheads and surrounding trailheads at McDowell Sonoran Preserve were closed beginning Wednesday morning.
“All other preserve access points and connecting trails are available for summer hikers,” the tweet said.
Additionally, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management urged those flying drones above the fire to avoid the airspace, as crews piloting aircraft to mitigate the fire would be forced to the ground.
Shelter at Cactus Shadows High School
Due to the displacement of over 1,000 residents in the area, the American Red Cross Arizona had opened an evacuation center at Cactus Shadows High School for those in need of assistance.
The school is at 5802 E. Dove Valley Road in Scottsdale. Anyone in need of help is urged to call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit its website at redcross.org.
Republic reporters Sasha Hupka and Allison Feinberg contributed to this article.