The worst of the Hazen Fire is behind us. After six days of burning through salt cedar and brush near Buckeye, the blaze that smothered the Phoenix Valley in heavy black smoke is nearing full containment.
But for hundreds of thousands of residents — especially children, the elderly, and anyone with asthma — the health story is not over yet.
Where Things Stand This Morning
The Hazen Fire has burned 1,191 acres in Buckeye and is now 78% contained, fueled by heavy river bottom vegetation and creosote trees. This morning at 7:00 AM, the incident officially transitioned from a Type 3 Incident Management Team to a local Type 4 organization — meaning the large multi-agency firefighting response has ended and local crews are taking over final mop-up.
According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management via InciWeb, the fire is 1,191 acres with 78% containment. Night shift observed minimal fire behavior and completed the last night shift patrols. Today, crews will patrol the fire perimeter and mop up remaining pockets of heat. Dozers and crews are working along the southeast perimeter to secure the fire’s edge. It is possible to see smoke today as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn
The battle is essentially won. But smoke does not follow containment lines.
Why the Smoke Is Still a Health Risk
The fuel that made this fire so toxic was invasive salt cedar — and it burned dirty. According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, “fighting fire in salt cedar is challenging because it grows in dense, tangled stands and can hold heavy amounts of dead branches, leaf litter and fine fuels, allowing fire to burn hot and produce heavy, dark smoke.”
That smoke carries fine particulate matter — microscopic particles that…
Read full article: Phoenix’s Hazen Fire Is Almost Out — But Valley Air Is Still Unhealthy
The post “Phoenix’s Hazen Fire Is Almost Out — But Valley Air Is Still Unhealthy” by Luka Trcek was published on 05/08/2026 by www.travelinglifestyle.net