Arizona News Roundup: Monsoon Storms, Wildfires and More
Here’s a roundup of recent Arizona news: monsoon storms pounded the Valley with rain, wind and flooding, a powerful downburst with 80 mph winds damaged Glendale and other West Valley cities, wildfires near Sedona and Tucson moved toward containment, monsoon storms forced a ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor, and more.
Turkey Fire near Sedona reaches 95% containment
The Turkey Fire was burning about 5 miles west of Village of Oak Creek near Sedona, and by Aug. 11 it had reached 95% containment (12News, Aug. 9; Signals AZ, Aug. 11, 2026). The Forest Service said small wildfires outside Sedona were not spreading (Arizona Daily Sun, Aug. 12, 2026).
Finger Ridge Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains
The Finger Ridge Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire in the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson, was 50% contained by Aug. 10, and the Finger Rock Trail reopened as the fire stabilized (Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 8; KVOA, Aug. 10-11; DailyDispatch, Aug. 10, 2026).
Mule Deer Fire burning in the Rincon Mountains
The Mule Deer Fire was burning in the Rincon Mountains near Tucson (KOLD, Aug. 11, 2026).
Hart Fire northwest of Sedona
The Hart Fire northwest of Sedona had no update on containment as of Aug. 10 (MyRadioPlace, Aug. 10; final Hart and Turkey fire updates, Aug. 12, 2026).
Monsoon downburst with 80 mph winds hammers West Valley
A powerful monsoon downburst with 80 mph winds hammered Glendale and other West Valley cities overnight (AZ Family, Aug. 10, 2026), and the storms left a path of damage across the Valley on Sunday night, Aug. 9 (ABC15, Aug. 10, 2026).
Monsoon storms hit the Valley a second day
Monsoon storms hit the Valley a second day on Aug. 10-11, with rain totals and power outages reported (ABC15, Aug. 11, 2026), and overnight storms blew through Phoenix with more to come (Arizona Republic/azcentral, Aug. 10, 2026).
Flood watch across Northern Arizona; Navajo Nation roads washed out
A flood watch was in effect across Northern Arizona, and monsoon storms washed out roads on the Navajo Nation (12News via Yahoo, Aug. 12, 2026).
Ground stop lifted at Phoenix Sky Harbor
Monsoon storms caused a ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; the ground stop was later lifted (12News, Aug. 13, 2026).
Tucson Fire crews make swift-water rescue
Tucson Fire crews made an early morning swift-water rescue (KOLD, Aug. 13, 2026).
Arizona ACA enrollees brace for another premium spike
Arizona ACA (health insurance) enrollees are bracing for another premium spike, with one enrollee quoted saying, “I’m furious and I’m terrified” (AZ Family, Aug. 12, 2026).
Arizona warns of ‘catastrophic’ harm from Colorado River plan
Arizona warned federal officials of “catastrophic” harm from a Colorado River plan (Arizona Republic/azcentral, Aug. 13, 2026).
Teen fights charge after PE dodgeball incident
A northern Arizona teen is fighting a charge after a PE dodgeball incident at school (AZ Family, Aug. 13, 2026).
For more on the Grand Canyon State, see the Arizona guide.
Sources
12News; Signals AZ; Arizona Daily Sun; Arizona Daily Star; KVOA; DailyDispatch; KOLD; MyRadioPlace; AZ Family; ABC15; Arizona Republic/azcentral; Yahoo.