Scottsdale, AZ – A fast-moving wildfire erupted in north Scottsdale on Thursday, Sept. 12, scorching 1,008 acres and threatening multiple homes. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Scottsdale Fire Department and regional agencies, no homes or lives were lost in the Gate Fire, which also burned 87 acres of land previously impacted by 2023’s Diamond Fire.
The fire, initially reported near Jomax Road and 132nd Place, spread rapidly due to high winds and dry conditions. Scottsdale Fire crews were first on the scene, launching immediate suppression efforts while Scottsdale Police swiftly evacuated residents. As the fire grew, additional units, including aerial resources, were called in from agencies such as Tonto National Forest, Maricopa County, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (ADFFM).
Escalating to a fourth-alarm fire, the response involved 23 engines, 13 brush trucks, eight water tenders, and three large air tankers, with about 175 firefighters, including 49 from Scottsdale Fire, working together to combat the blaze. Air tankers played a critical role in protecting structures as the fire neared Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
By morning, the fire had spread into McDowell Mountain Regional Park, leading to a transfer of command to ADFFM. The fire was brought under control by 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, concluding a nearly 30-hour operation.
Investigators later determined that the fire was caused by work at a residential construction site. The case will be reviewed by the Scottsdale City Attorney’s office for potential legal action. Scottsdale Fire Marshal Kristi Gagnon emphasized the ongoing risk of wildfires in areas where development meets the desert landscape and highlighted the importance of fire prevention.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions by creating defensible space around homes, maintaining safe construction sites, and staying informed with “Ready, Set, Go” emergency messaging.
For more information on wildfire prevention, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “wildfire prevention.”
