Seeing smoke? Brush fire in East Valley producing large flames, highway cameras show: news

East Valley Brush Fire Near Loop 202 Produces Large Flames and Smoke

Heavy plumes of smoke and visible flames reported across parts of the East Valley are the result of an active brush fire burning along the Salt River bed near Loop 202 in Tempe, Arizona.

Traffic monitoring cameras operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) captured large flames erupting adjacent to the freeway corridor, prompting emergency calls from nearby motorists and residents.

Multi-Agency Response on the Scene

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Tempe Fire Medical, the blaze quickly spread across approximately two acres of dense desert brush. Multiple emergency response crews were deployed to contain the fire and prevent it from encroaching on roadways and nearby commercial properties, including units from:

• Tempe Fire and Medical

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• Phoenix Fire Department

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• Mesa Fire and Medical

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• Scottsdale Fire Department

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• Salt River Fire Department

• Arizona Fire & Medical Authority (AFMA)

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Traffic Impact and Safety Precautions

While Loop 202 remains open, smoke drift across highway lanes may intermittently reduce visibility during peak response operations. Drivers traveling through the Tempe and Salt River corridor are advised to:

• Maintain safe following distances and reduce travel speeds.

• Keep vehicle windows closed and set ventilation systems to recirculate air to minimize smoke inhalation.

• Yield to arriving emergency apparatus and avoid stopping along freeway shoulders to observe the fire.

The precise cause of the brush fire remains under investigation, and fire crews continue suppression efforts to secure the perimeter and extinguish remaining hot spots.