Bryce Fire Burns 850 Acres in Arizona, 25% Contained, Residents on Evacuation Alert

The Bryce Fire in Graham County, Arizona, has burned approximately 850 acres and is currently about 25 percent contained, with high winds causing the fire to jump containment lines and prompting SET evacuation warnings for residences near the Gila River corridor, especially in the Ft. Thomas and Eden areas. The fire is fueled by highly flammable invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) and Cottonwood trees, which produce thick black smoke and create extreme fire behavior that complicates suppression efforts. More than 170 firefighters, including hotshot crews, hand crews, and aerial support, are actively engaged in containment, with an incident management team taking over control. Firefighters have worked through the night to protect homes and have established fire breaks, and while no structures are currently threatened, smoke is impacting air quality and visibility near Superior and Queen Valley, prompting health advisories for sensitive individuals. The fire has damaged some power lines, and authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, advising drivers to exercise caution due to drifting smoke along U.S. 70. Officials urge residents to prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans as the fire remains active and unpredictable.