Camp Fire north of Cave Creek is 50 percent contained

A wildfire burning north of Cave Creek was 50 percent contained on Friday night, according to a spokeswoman for the Tonto National Forest.

Firefighters employed desert firefighting tactics throughout the day with the addition of two hotshot crews: the Geronimo Hotshots from San Carlos and Fort Apache Hotshots from Whiteriver, spokeswoman Anne Thomas said.

The Camp Fire has burned 650 acres north of the Bronco Trail Head. The Bronco Trailhead was open to the public on Friday morning and officials are asking the public to be respectful of any fire equipment and to keep a safe distance from the fire itself, Thomas said.

The restrictions to the northbound Forest Service Road 24 past the Sears-Kay recreation site have also been lifted.

The fire has minimal movement, Thomas said, and the air tankers, which were being used to drop fire retardant, were sent back to California. Nevertheless, the number of firefighters on the scene has been increased to 60 with the addition of two hotshot crews.

Fire crews are using desert firefighting techniques to combat the fire. Typically, firefighters will dig a line around the fire to prevent it from spreading, Thomas said. Crews were walking cold spots — places where the fire is not burning — to determine the perimeter. If they find hot spots, crews will either douse the fire or push the existing line back, depending on the situation.

This is possible because most of the activity is within the established perimeter, Thomas said. Water is being used sparingly in this technique.

The Camp Fire was first reported Thursday at about 12:45 p.m. when a person saw smoke coming from the area. No structures are currently being threatened.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.