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Smoky skies hang over Buckeye as brush fire continues to burn
Wind and dry vegetation have challenged crews as aircraft and ground teams work to stop the blaze.
The Hazen Fire, burning south of Buckeye, Arizona, reached 980 acres by Monday morning with 0% containment, spreading across the Gila River bottom since Saturday afternoon.
Flames are heavily fueled by dry salt cedar vegetation in the difficult-to-access Gila River bottom, and Arizona State Deputy Fire Management Officer Todd Abel noted windy conditions have hampered containment efforts.
Residents have described the intense blaze as "like a warzone," while a helicopter was forced to land as winds reached speeds of up to 30 mph, limiting aerial support.
Although no evacuations have been ordered, Arizona Public Service de-energized power lines as a safety precaution, and officials temporarily shut down the northbound side of Highway 85 due to visibility concerns.
Crews remain focused on full suppression to protect the public, though the cause of the fire remains undetermined; officials warned those in the surrounding area should expect continued smoke and active flames overnight.