Hazen Fire reaches 980 acres near Buckeye with 0% containment
The hazen fire near Buckeye burned about 980 acres on Sunday and remained 0% contained after more than 24 hours of fire activity. It started near Hazen and Rooks roads on Saturday around 3 p.m., about a mile east of State Route 85 and just south of MC 85.
By Sunday night, crews had not reported evacuations, pre-evacuations or school closures. The fire had also reignited and jumped fire lines after burning more than 24 hours, adding 300-plus acres after activity eased somewhat overnight.
Fire Near Buckeye
Wind gusts reached about 30 mph and pushed the fire to the northeast. The smoke plume was visible for miles across much of the West Valley, and residents near the fire were watching conditions closely as flames advanced south of Buckeye.
Noah Hill, a resident near the fire, said while describing the scene near the Parkside Travel Trailer Park, “It looked like it was right on top of us at that point,” and added, “My eyes are burning. Ashes are falling from the sky.” He also said, “I packed my guns. I packed everything I could — cash, medicine,” as he prepared for the fire.
Air Support Over Hazen
Buckeye Fire Department crews were first on scene before the state Department of Forestry and Fire Management took command. A helicopter started the day making bucket drops but was later grounded because of wind conditions, and single-engine air tankers were brought in to drop retardant and water on spot fires along the perimeter.
Hill said, “The wind is crazy for planes to be flying,” as air crews worked around the gusts. Alexis Byrd, another resident near Buckeye, said, “It’s like a war zone almost — it’s scary,” describing what people nearby were seeing as the fire continued to burn.
Monitoring Buckeye Smoke
Residents were urged to monitor air quality conditions through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as the smoke stayed visible for miles. With no evacuations or closures in place Sunday night, the immediate issue for people near Buckeye was tracking smoke, shifting wind and any new fire growth around the perimeter.
