Memorial Day weekend in Arizona: Heavy delays clear up on I-17 southbound prior to Munds Park

Arizonans were gearing up to hit the road this weekend in light of the three-day weekend for Memorial Day.

Expected to be the third-busiest holiday weekend since 2000 in terms of travel, remember to check road conditions and to plan ahead for major traffic and hiccups at the airport.

For those choosing to spend some time locally, expect high temperatures in the Valley just under 100 degrees throughout the weekend. If you plan on being outdoors, authorities are reminding residents to practice water safety and take precautions when exposed to extreme heat.

Follow us for updates throughout the holiday weekend.

Heavy delays clear up on I-17 southbound prior to Munds Park, SR 87 at Shea Boulevard

A pair of mile long delays on I-17 southbound between Kachina Village and Munds Park as well as SR 87 at Shea Boulevard have cleared, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Traffic, in large part due to Memorial Day weekend return travel, was backed up nearly eight miles on the I-17 southbound between Kachina Village and Munds Park with another lengthy five mile delay on SR 87 at Shea Boulevard.

ADOT officials told the Arizona Republic, "it will likely be that way for a while," which it was, taking almost four hours for the Department to declare the delays cleared.

Additionally, ADOT advised motorists to plan for additional travel time and to be prepared by making sure they have a full tank of gas, a fully charged cell phone as well as extra snacks, water and necessary medications.

Traffic conditions can be checked at az511.gov to stay up to date.

Sedona-area Miller Fire 31% contained, Secret Mountain Loop Trails closed

A lightning-caused fire located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger District is currently 31% contained at 30 acres, with officials saying the fire is experiencing "minimal activity."

The Miller Fire, first reported on Saturday, May 20 but unconfirmed until Monday, May 22 due to weather conditions, is being managed by the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team, which gained control of the blaze at 8 p.m. Friday, the team said in a release Monday.

According to InciWeb, resources battling the fire include a hotshot crew, one hand crew, two engines, three helicopters and an air attack.

"Crews plan to install cameras and a monitoring system on the fire within the coming days so the RRRD can monitor fire behavior long-term, since hot spots are expected to persist in the area throughout the coming weeks due to high temperatures and weather conditions," the Northern Arizona Type 3 IMT said in the statement.

As for closures, areas surrounding the fire such as the Secret Mountain Loop Trails have been closed. In addition, a temporary flight restriction was placed over the fire.

Officials plan to send out a reduced closure order surrounding the fire area on Tuesday morning via the Coconino National Forest website.

Valley 101 lists 5 top spots to beat the heat this summer

When the heat rises, Phoenicians know it's time to stay cool. And The Republic's podcast team survey some of the best spots to beat the heat and came up with five must-visit water attractions in the Valley.

From rivers to lakes to parks, Valley 101 has the 411 on spots to keep cool this summer.

Glendale hit-and-run leaves man dead, Camelback Road and 75th Avenue closed

A man is dead after being hit by a car that left the scene around 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning in Glendale.

Glendale police received a report from a witness who said a man was lying on the ground near Camelback Road and 75th Avenue and appeared to be dead. He was pronounced dead on the scene once officers arrived.

Investigators believe he was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene.

Camelback Road is restricted between 67th and 75th avenues, and the closure is expected to last through Sunday morning, according to police.

Expect identical weather to Saturday, NWS says for Valley

High temperatures will reach the mid to upper 90s across the lower deserts this afternoon. The National Weather Service in Phoenix cautions those spending time outdoors to be mindful of the heat.

Weather on Sunday afternoon will be almost identical to Saturday, with full sun, according to NWS.

Memorial Day will feature more hot and dry weather across the region under mostly sunny skies. Breezes will pick up across the deserts Monday afternoon with gusts in the 20 mph range.

Heavy traffic on NB I-17 through Black Canyon City

The Arizona Department of Transportation cautioned drivers of heavy traffic on northbound Interstate 17 after State Route 74 on Saturday just before 11 a.m.

There was no reported incident, according to ADOT, but motorists should expect delays.

Sunny skies expected for the Valley with high of 97

High temperatures today in the Valley will be similar to Friday temperatures, with mid 90s under full sunshine. Winds are not expected to be as gusty, however, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

Warm and sunny conditions are expected through this weekend at all area lakes.

— The Arizona Republic staff

Trail closures in Sedona's Red Rock Secret Mountain region closed due to wildfires

The Miller fire in the Coconino Forest has caused several trail closures along Secret Canyon Trail. Officials have issued trail closures and are advising that visitors remain out of this area for the safety of crews and the public.

These trail closures are within Sedona's Red Rock Secret Mountain region and include:

• Secret Canyon Trail #121

• HS Canyon Trail #50

• David Miller Trail #164

• Bear Sign Trail #59

• Dry Creek Trail #52

• Long Canyon Trail #122

These are the best things to do this Memorial Day weekend

Need plans for the long weekend?

In metro Phoenix, you can go to The Arizona Military History Museum or a pool party at Talking Stick Resort.

The options are plentiful. For more on what you can do this weekend, check out this story.

— The Arizona Republic staff

This year's weekend expected to be busier than 2022

This year's Memorial Day weekend is expected to be busier than usual — the third-busiest since 2000 in terms of travel, according to AAA.

In order to help with traffic, the Arizona Department of Transportation said it wouldn't conduct any freeway road closures, like it typically does on weekends to work on roadway improvement projects.

To ensure the utmost safety while on the road, ADOT reminded drivers to heed these tips:

• Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits.

• Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary.

• Check your vehicle, including tire pressure.

• Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.

• Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving.

• Don’t park in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire.

Traffic conditions can always be checked at az511.gov to stay up to date.

— Kye Graves

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial Day weekend in Arizona: Live updates from across the state