KEARNY — The Simmons fire in Pinal County, burning on both sides of the Gila River, has destroyed two structures and forced the evacuation of the Riverside neighborhood outside of Kearny.
The fire is estimated at 400 acres as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, with 0-percent containment.
The fire was discovered Tuesday, after 5 p.m. Cause remains under investigation.
The fire also forced the closure of State Route 177 for about eight hours late Tuesday, with the roadway being re-opened early Wednesday morning.
SR 177 is part of the 75-mile detour off U.S. Highway 60 for the Queen Creek Bridge project. ADOT officials said the detours are continuing following the re-opening of SR 177 Wednesday.
US 60 between Miami and Superior is closed in both directions Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, for blasting operations.
Eastbound traffic is detoured to southbound SR 177 through Winkleman to northbound State Route 77. Westbound travelers are detoured to southbound SR 77 through Winkleman to northbound SR 177.
