Fire officials said winds on Monday could pose a challenge for crews working to contain the Sears Fire, which grew from nearly 12,500 acres to 14,251 throughout the day.

The fire, which sparked near Forest Service Road and Sears Kay Ranch on Friday, grew by more than 3,200 acres overnight Sunday to 12,474 acres. Crews gained 15% containment on Monday, according to a Tonto National Forest release Monday evening. 

According to a Tonto National Forest news release, northeast winds measuring between five and 12 mph with wind gusts approaching 20 mph would hinder fire suppression efforts Monday. Firefighters conducted burnouts between Seven Springs Road and the Red Rover Mine on Monday to prevent further spread.

Fire crews conducted burnout operations along 15 acres on the south side of Humboldt Mountain Sunday night. Crews also worked to contain a small spot fire on the eastern perimeter across Horseshoe Road near the Verde River.

Crews on Monday were also expected to “mop up” the southern perimeter of the fire and continue burnouts as needed to secure the eastern perimeter near Horseshoe Road, the news release said. Overhead power lines in the area remain impacted by smoke and lower Camp Creek power lines have been de-energized, it said. 

Preliminary findings on Sunday showed three homes, five outbuildings and several vehicles were destroyed in the Sears Fire, according to officials. Fire crews noted an additional home and four outbuildings had also burned, bringing the total to four homes and 10 outbuildings destroyed. 

The closures for Bartlett Dam Road, Seven Springs Road, Horseshoe Lake, Bartlett Lake and Seven Springs recreation sites remained in place Monday, according to officials.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels. 

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