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Smoke from the Bush Fire is drifting to the northeast, settling around the Four Corner's region, on June 18, 2020.

Firefighters hope recent backfires will help them contain the Bush Fire northeast of Phoenix, which is now the fifth-largest in Arizona history.

The blaze burned quickly through Four Peaks Wilderness.

But as it gets closer to Tonto Basin, fire crews hope to get the upper hand.

Winds have calmed and crews have lit backfires off Arizona State Routes 87 and 188 to rob the fire of fuel.

Those backfires are included in the total acreage of the fire. 

"We don’t want to portray it as though the fire’s not growing on its own," spokesperson Dee Hines said. "I mean, it’s a very dangerous situation. It’s a wildfire, but a lot of that acreage, or at least a good portion of that acreage, reflects, areas that we’ve burned on purpose, to help control the wildfire." 

Crews hope the fire will run out of fuel when it hits those backburn areas.

So far, no homes have been lost.

State Route 87, also known as the Beeline Highway, remains closed.

Travelers heading to the high country for the weekend will want to look for alternative routes.

ADOT spokesman Steve Elliott says travelers have a couple of options.

“It depends on where you’re going in the high country, but if you’re going to the Payson area, we recommend I-17 up to state route 260 and Camp Verde, going across to Pine and taking 87 south," Elliott said. 

Travelers heading to the White Mountains will want to take Highway 60 to Globe and then go north through Salt River Canyon.

Elliott recommends that travelers take sun protection, including an umbrella for shade in the event of a breakdown.

He also recommends that travelers follow the speed limit and be patient.