A desert wildland fire known as the Wildcat Fire started Saturday morning, May 18, near Dynamite Boulevard (Rio Verde Drive) and 136th Street and had burned more than 14,000 acres by mid-day Monday, according to the fire management website, inciweb. Through an effective attack and favorable weather conditions the fire had grown to 14,402 acres by Thursday, May 23, and was 56% contained.
Winds up to 40 miles per hour on Monday afternoon made fire suppression efforts difficult. However, cooler temperatures and higher humidity worked in favor of the firefighters.
Aviation resources were used heavily on Sunday to stem growth of the fire, but by Tuesday air attack was no longer in use.
