Mistake Fire closes Tonto National Forest road, affects hunting

The Mistake Fire, burning with a group of fires in Tonto National Forest, has grown to 300 acres, up from 200 acres since Friday.

Fire crews are battling the fire by air and monitoring fire activity.

High temperatures and little rain in the forecast are a concern for firefighters.

According to fire officials, the fire has caused the closure of Forest Road 236-A which prohibits entry into the Mistake Peak area.

The road closure is affecting bear hunting in the area and is expected to affect archery deer hunting which starts Wednesday.

The fire is growing towards Bear Head Mountain in an area of inaccessible, rough terrain and more road closures are expected in the future.

The fire, along with several others in the forest area, is believed to have been started by lightning, but the cause is still under investigation.

For more hunting information, contact Arizona Game and Fish Department at 602-942-3000.