Blazing Badger Fire Rages Across 32 Acres in Agua Fria National Monument

The fire is burning just five miles away from another wildfire and is close to I-17.

ARIZONA, USA — Firefighters are contending with the Badger Fire, ignited near Interstate 17 north of Black Canyon City, according to the Arizona Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The blaze, situated just east of the Badger Springs exit, has charred 32 acres so far, based on BLM’s estimates. The fire’s proximity, merely five miles north of the Skeleton Fire—which has razed over 1,400 acres on a mesa east of the Agua Fria River Canyon—raises concerns for overlapping emergencies.

Lightning is believed to have sparked the Badger Fire, BLM reported. The situation remains fluid, with more updates expected as the fire evolves.

Residents in fire-prone areas should prepare an emergency supplies kit, especially crucial during Arizona’s wildfire season. Essential supplies, outlined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), include three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food. A first-aid kit, medications, and personal documents should also be packed and kept in accessible containers.

The Arizona Emergency Information Network employs the ‘Ready, Set, Go’ evacuation system. This approach advises readiness with emergency supplies, voluntary evacuation when necessary, and immediate evacuation when directed.

Fire prevention measures in homes are vital, as the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority indicates. Every home should be equipped with functional smoke alarms and escape plans. Proper use and maintenance of appliances can mitigate fire risks.

With the heating temperatures, wildfire prevention efforts are critical. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management advises ensuring campfires are completely extinguished, avoiding certain equipment during high-risk conditions, and not leaving debris fires unattended. Drivers can also help by avoiding actions that could spark fires, such as throwing cigarette butts out of car windows.

Residents can fortify their homes against fires by maintaining clean roofs and gutters, using fire-resistant building materials, and ensuring vegetation around homes is minimized and maintained.

The wildfire season in Arizona demands vigilance and preparedness from all residents. Visit Arizonanews.org for further updates and essential information to stay safe this season.