The wildfire burning in the Tonto National Forest and the Agua Fria National Monument has been upgraded to a complex fire, incorporating two lightning-caused fires in the area, U.S. Fire Service officials said.

The Brooklyn Complex fire — actually three fires, including the Bull Fire and the Cedar Fire, has burned 35,883 acres since first reported Friday afternoon. As of Sunday morning, the Bureau of Land Management said it was five percent contained. 

The Brookyln Fire remains north of Black Canyon City, burning to the west and north, while the Bull and Cedar fires, both south of the Brooklyn Fire, burn in inaccessible remote areas.  

About 100 firefighters are battling the blazes, with a helicopter on stand-by for aerial support, said Frank Mosbacher, a Fire Service spokesman. A Type 1 Incident Management Team was expected to be brought in Sunday afternoon to continue suppression efforts, mainly focused along Bloody Basin Road and northeast of Black Canyon City. 

The fire has closed Badger Springs Road and Bloody Basin Road from Interstate 17 east to Forest Road 24. No evacuations have been put in place. 

Mosbacher said about 50 to 60 structures could potentially be threatened if the fire advances in that direction. He estimated several were residences. 

Strong gust winds from thunderstorms Saturday evening challenged suppression efforts as the fire was pushed in multiple directions. However, Mosbacher said firefighters were “fortunate” that the fire didn’t grow, giving crews an opportunity to “have a breather.”

Officials said smoke will continue to affect communities south of the fire, such as Anthem, New River, Carefree, Cave Creek and North Phoenix. 

The public is urged to keep drones and unmanned aircrafts out of firefighting zones as they may add risk to efforts. 

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