Arizona wildfire closes scenic highway along Salt River

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – A wildfire burning grass and brush in rugged terrain of the Tonto National Forest east of metro Phoenix has caused the closure of a two-lane scenic state highway with cliffside sections along the Salt River and several recreational lakes.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said Friday an extended closure of State Route 88 between State Route 188 at Roosevelt Lake and about 2 miles (3 kilometres) northeast of Apache Junction is possible.

Fire managers said the human-caused fire was being fanned by high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds and had grown to 20 square miles (52 square kilometres).

Authorities say no communities or cities are threatened at this time and about 600 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the fire.