Wildland fire crews are seeing progress fighting the “Flying Bucket Fire.”

The wildfire 15 miles southwest of Maricopa is now 50% contained despite growing toward Hidden Valley, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

The department also issued a correction last night, stating the blaze has consumed 2,795 acres instead of the 4,100 acres previously reported. This was due to “more accurate [aerial] mapping,” according to a tweet from AZDFFM.

While what sparked the wildfire has yet to be determined, AZDFFM spokesperson Tiffany Davila confirmed some kind of gunfire is to blame.

“It was caused by shooting and it remains under investigation,” she told InMaricopa today.

Still on track for full containment

The Southwest Coordination Center labeled the blaze a “creeping fire,” meaning it is a “low intensity wildfire with a negligible rate of spread.”

The department also said the fire could spread to the northwest due to shifting winds, threatening privately-owned and U.S. Bureau of Land Management properties.

Crews yesterday focused on creating firebreaks and removing potential fuel from about half of the wildfire’s perimeter, focusing primarily on its northern and southeastern boundaries. This does not mean crews have extinguished the fire, only slowed its growth.

Dense brush and weather conditions again remain a concern for firefighters. Although temperatures won’t quite reach 90 degrees, westerly winds are still expected through the afternoon and evening.

Officials still anticipate full containment by Sunday.