Hazen Fire grows as invasive tree slows firefighting efforts near Buckeye

The Hazen Fire near Buckeye has grown to 1,138 acres and is 10% contained, according to local reporting and fire officials.

The wildfire is burning in the Gila River river bottom area near Hazen and Rooks roads. It was first reported on Saturday, May 2, and has continued to spread since then.

Crews say invasive salt cedar is making the fire harder to fight by limiting access, reducing visibility and complicating aerial suppression. Local outlets quoted Arizona forestry officials as saying the fire was not threatening containment lines at the latest update.

No evacuations were ordered at the time of the reports. Smoke and fire activity have continued to affect the area as crews work to build and hold lines.

The latest acreage and containment figures mark a change from earlier reports over the weekend, when the fire was still smaller and largely uncontained. Officials are expected to release another update as conditions change.