The 2024 Wildcat Fire was a relatively large wildfire that burned in the Tonto National Forest, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. The fire burned 14,402 acres of land before being declared contained on June 3.[1] It was the second-largest wildfire of the 2024 Arizona wildfire season, only behind the Freeman Fire.

Wildcat Fire
An aerial view of the Wildcat Fire, as seen on May 18, 2024
Date(s)
  • May 18, 2024 (2024-05-18)
  • June 3, 2024 (2024-06-03)
Statistics
Perimeter100% contained
Burned area14,402 acres (5,828 ha; 23 sq mi; 58 km2)
Impacts
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries0+
Ignition
CauseHuman-caused
MotiveUnknown

Progression

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Aircraft assisting with suppression efforts on the fire, May 18

The fire started at approximately 9:20 a.m. on May 18 near Vista Verde, north of Dynamite Blvd and 136th Street, located west of Bartlett Lake.[2] On the first day of the fire, upwards of 5,000 acres were already burned, and that number went up to 12,000 on May 19. On the same day, 180 personnel were assigned to the fire, which included 2 helicopters. On May 20, the fire again grew to 14,072 acres,[3] and another 120 personnel were dispatched to the growing fire.[3] The fire quickly spread east of the Desert Mountain Community,[4] reaching a size of 14,283 acres on May 21,[4] where the first containment efforts were carried out by firefighters.[4] 318 personnel were assigned to the fire.[4] By May 22, the fire reached its maximum size, covering 14,402 acres of land and grass in Maricopa County.[1] The fire was 36% contained by that time,[1] and the number of personnel dispatched to the fire dropped to 197.[1]

On May 23, a further 20% of the fire was contained by personnel, and there was no gain in acreage covered by the fire. The number of personnel dispatched dropped to 109.[5] On May 24, the size of the wildfire stayed consistent, and the percentage contained was up to 64%. 110 personnel were dispatched to the fire.

Growth and containment table

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Date Area burned Personnel Containment
May 18[2] 5,000 acres (20 km2) 0
0%
May 19[6] 12,000 acres (49 km2) 180
0%
May 20[7] 14,072 acres (57 km2) 300
0%
May 21[8] 14,283 acres (58 km2) 318
20%
May 22[9] 14,402 acres (58 km2) 197
36%
May 23[5] 14,402 acres (58 km2) 109
56%
May 24[10] 14,402 acres (58 km2) 110
64%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  2. ^ a b "| InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  3. ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  4. ^ a b c d "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  5. ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  6. ^ "Park Fire: Incident Update on 07/25/2024 at 9:35 PM". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "Park Fire: Incident Update on 07/26/2024 at 10:03 PM". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "Park Fire: Incident Update on 07/27/2024 at 8:03 PM". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "Park Fire: Incident Update on 07/28/2024 at 8:07 PM". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-02.