Interstate-17 Reopened After Being Closed For More Than Ten Hours Due To A Brush Fire

Interstate-17 has reopened after it was closed for several hours due to a brush fire north of Sunset Point. The Black Mesa Fire burned 200 acres and had the interstate closed for more than ten hours. The highway reopened just after midnight. The closure forced traffic to be detoured through Payson or Prescott going north and southbound as crews fought to control the fire. The fire started near Badger Springs Road and grew quickly. There’s no word on how the Black Mesa Fire started, but conditions are very dry along I-17 and other highways. Make sure you don’t flick a cigarette out of the window, or dragging chains if you are pulling a trailer.