WICKENBURG, Ariz. — Between 8 and 10 RV homes were destroyed in a brush fire near Wickenburg, according to fire officials.
Read more Opening statements to begin in robbery case connected to murder of Mercedes Vega
The Jones Fire is burning primarily in the Hassayampa Riverbed, but at one point on Monday afternoon, the flames extended into the Arrowhead RV Park near Kerkes Street and Wickenburg Way.
The park manager, Javier Moreno, told 12 News that more than a dozen people live here.
“They lost everything,” Moreno said.
Moreno said it’s his understanding that everyone evacuated before the fire reached the park, and no one was injured.
“It’s terrible. I don’t know where the people will go for tonight,” Moreno said. “I worry about that.”
The park sits just adjacent to the riverbed where the fire started.
The fire burned along both sides of the riverbed and the U.S. 60, which prompted an hours-long closure going in and out of Wickenburg and evacuations across town.
“We had to be evacuated by Wickenburg Police and Wickenburg Fire via their bearcat, which is the SWAT truck,” Karen Kelley, the director of a local childcare center, told 12News.
Kelley said their five staff members and 28 children ages five and under safely made it out of the evacuation zone. She said it’s something they train for every month.
“Besides having to wake them up from their nap and them going, what are you doing, they did really well. They came right to the lobby like they were supposed to do, and when it was time to go,” Kelley said. “They thought it was the best day of their life. They were all laughing and enjoying the ride in the big fire truck.”
About 125 personnel, including engines and handlines, worked to suppress the fire on the ground in conjunction with air tankers dropping water and retardant from the sky, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Read more Pinal County attorney seeks death penalty against inmate
“It’s burning in salt cedar. It burns very hot. The smoke is very thick. The fuel bed down in the river bottom is very dense,” spokesperson Tiffany Davila said.
Davila said crews were also challenged by the heat.
“It’s hot. It’s dry. We’re going to start seeing fire activity pick up,” Davila said.
A full damage assessment will be completed once the fire is contained. No injuries have been reported.
“I’m worried about tonight for the other people. We’ll see what we can do for them,” Moreno said.
Evacuation orders remain in place overnight on Monday. A relief site is set up at Wickenburg High School.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Read more Massive brush fire near Wickenburg prompts evacuations