The Juniper Fire burning in Tonto National Forest has spread to 6,200 acres north of Roosevelt Lake. The fire was sparked by a lighting strike on May 17th. 

Gabrielle Kenton with Tonto National Forest said they have closed off part of State Route 288, between mile markers 285 and 29, as a safety precaution. 

“There are crews working in the road because the fire is very close to the road. And there is a lot of fire traffic. And there is a safety concern that, for instance, for the fire to maybe cross the road in someplace, and then, public traffic might be at risk,” she said.      

The closure of SR-288 is expected to last for at least four more days. 

Because the cause of the fire was natural, Kenton said they’re treating it as a prescribed burn, as the area hasn’t seen a major fire in many years, and this will help prevent any major damage in the near future.