Arizona Department of Transportation

State Route 87 is closed in both directions due to the Diamond Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Personnel with Tonto National Forest as well as the Arizona State Forestry and Fire Management are performing control operations near the fire. This has necessitated the closure of southbound SR 87 at State Route 188. The northbound side of the highway is closed at milepost 199 (Bush Highway).

Motorists are advised to expect delays and seek an alternate route.

There is no estimated time to reopen the highway.

Current and forecast weather continues to be a major factor for fire managers as they plan operations on the Ridge and Three Lakes fires. Crews and an incident meteorologist are collecting localized data to track and predict wind speed and direction, high and low temperatures, and maximum and minimum humidity at multiple times throughout the day and night. This information enables fire managers to strategize what actions to take, where and when, ensuring they are staying ahead of and influencing the direction and intensity of the fire’s movement.

With light winds and double-digit humidities this weekend, fire managers on the Ridge and Three Lakes fires will be able to continue tactical firing operations. This means crews apply fire to strategic locations within the planning areas as a safety measure in advance of the main fire. Doing so helps maintain the generally slower pace and lower intensity as the fire moves across the landscape. On the North Kaibab Ranger District, tactical firing operations along State Route 67 are creating a fire-treated boundary on the eastern edge of the Three Lakes Fire planning area.