Wildcat Fire grows to 12,100 acres, causes road closures near Bartlett Lake

PHOENIX – A new wildfire that erupted northeast of Cave Creek on Saturday is estimated at 12,100 acres.

It has been called the Wildcat Fire and was first reported at 9:20 a.m. on May 18.

According to a news release, the Geronimo and Prescott hotshot crews, air tankers and a helicopter have been ordered to battle the blaze. Scottsdale Fire also assisted with containing the fire.

Parties were being escorted off Bartlett Lake to safety as the unpredictability of the fire threatened people in the area.

For now, authorities say what’s burning is grass and desert shrubs.

The National Interagency Fire Center said the fire was human-caused.

“Smoke from the Wildcat Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will drift to the north and east due to southwest winds. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures,” the U.S. Forest Service said on Sunday afternoon.

Road closures

Roads were closed near the intersection of Horseshoe Dam and Bartlett Dam roads as officials stated the fire was burning on both sides of Bartlett Dam Road.

Officials with the Tonto National Forest closed the public off from entering the forest in the Cava Creek Ranger District, saying the closure is meant to protect the public from the “uncontrolled” fire.

Map of where the fire is: