Fire closes Interstate 17 north of Phoenix
May 20, 2014, 2:22 PM | Updated: May 21, 2014, 9:02 am
PHOENIX — A fire closed Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix metro area on Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.
The blaze had reached 200 acres but was 50 percent contained by late in the evening.
The Black Canyon Fire Department said the fire was sparked by a burning RV near the Sunset Point Rest Area.
The fire burning near Cordes Junction shut down the road from milepost 254 to 262.
Northbound traffic was backed up for over three miles. ADOT was directing drivers to go through Payson, Prescott or Wickenburg.
Both southbound lanes opened before 7 p.m. Tuesday.
OPEN: I-17 South, the right lane has reopened. Both directions, left lane is closed mile 254-256. Otherwise, it's open.
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 21, 2014
KTAR’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.
