Firefighters in Tonto National Forest are locked in a battle with the spralling Sugar Fire, which ignited on Saturday and has scorched over 240 acres of land near Fountain Hills, officials reported. The blaze, first spotted around 11:35 a.m. on the west side of State Route 87, approximately 15 miles north of Fountain Hills, continued to rage through the night.

Efforts to contain the Sugar Fire have so far proved partially successful, with the Tonto National Forest reporting yesterday morning that the fire was 30% contained. According to AZFamily, the forward rate of spread has been halted by fire crews working tirelessly on the ground, aided by aerial support. Still, as wind conditions worsen, the containment challenge continues to intensify.

With an overflight planned for today to survey and map the Sugar Fire's growth, officials urged the public to stay away from FR 402 to avoid interfering with ongoing suppression operations. An update shared by the Tonto National Forest on X indicated that "4 eng., 2 IHCs & 1 heli continue fire suppression ops."

Fire officials plan an overflight today to map the #SugarFire. Fire crews are working towards securing the fire’s edge as windy conditions are expected today. The fire is 30% contained. 4 eng., 2 IHCs & 1 heli continue fire suppression ops. Avoid FR 402 while crews are working. pic.twitter.com/0WUd96aBOJ

— Tonto National Forest (@TontoForest) May 5, 2024

The fire's growth was swift on Saturday, as reports by FOX10 Phoenix detailed that the blaze expanded from a small brush fire to 240 acres in less than seven hours. Starting southwest of Sugarloaf Mountain, the wildfire had hopped Sycamore Creek Road, which serves as an access road to the mountain, northwest of the blaze. The crews dispatched included air tankers, Hot Shot teams, and a helicopter, all in a concerted effort to quell the quickly spreading flames.

The public has been asked to stand clear of the affected area to ensure their safety and facilitate the firefighting efforts.