The Horton Fire northeast of Payson was nearly 94% contained on Saturday, more than a month after the wildfire was ignited, according to officials with the Tonto National Forest.

The wildfire grew to 8,346 acres, according to InciWeb, prompting the pre-evacuation of nearby communities until last week.

Firefighter crews started to downsize over the weekend as the fire was nearly extinguished, prompting Tonto National Forest officials to issue “the final written update on the Horton Fire, unless significant activity were to occur,” according to a news release on X.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Here’s a look at the remaining efforts of firefighters who hoped to end the Horton Fire.

Wildfire size and resources dwindle as containment nears

As the fire initially grew in size, more than 400 firefighters were at the scene to battle the blaze, equipped with dozens of pieces of heavy equipment.

On Saturday, only 107 personnel remained at the scene, along with five fire engines, a bulldozer and water tender, officials said in the news release.

Crews to remain until fire fully extinguished

Crews continued to battle the fire on Saturday, and efforts would continue until the blaze was fully “contained, controlled and called out,” added Tonto National Forest officials.

Some crews continued to use heavy equipment along Forest Service Road 76, according to the news release.

Crews from the Burned Area Emergency Response team initially reported that 99% of the burned area sustained minimal damage, with soil and root systems largely remaining intact.

Closure of nearby forest remains; pre-evacuation status over

There was still a closure to the immediate area surrounding the wildfire until Feb. 28, unless ended earlier by forest officials.

All nearby communities were taken off pre-evacuation status on Jan. 10, according to Tonto National Forest officials.

Wildfire smoke forecast for nearby Payson, State Route 260

Remnants of smoke were still expected, as vegetation within the interior of the fire continued to burn.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued its last forecast about the fire on Jan. 10, after the fire was more than half contained.

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Reach the reporter at reynaldo.covarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfire near Payson nearly extinguished after monthlong burn