NUTRIOSO, Ariz. (AP) -- Fire officials are becoming more confident that a 7,300-acre fire in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest may bypass this tiny mountain community of vacation homes and wooden cottages in eastern Arizona.
Residents were packed and 25 fire engines stood guard around the edges of Nutrioso on Friday but a wildfire burning southwest of here appeared to be headed away from the community of about 500.
The fire was 30 percent contained Saturday morning and remained a little more than a mile from the area designated as the trigger point for evacuations, authorities said.
Bob Dyson, a spokesman for the crew fighting the blaze, said the Three Forks fire was cooling down and had not moved any closer to Nutrioso since Thursday.
``That should build a little more confidence that we can hold this fire,'' Dyson said.
More than 750 personnel were fighting the fire, with crews working overnight to reinforce lines around the blaze and do more burnout operations.
``We're real optimistic,'' said Verle Palmer, whose family owns two cabins in the area. ``I think we're getting lucky.''
He and other homeowners gathered Friday at the town's post office to get updates on the fire, which started Tuesday.
Palmer, who lives in Safford, drove up to Nutrioso to pack handmade quilts, photos and hats at a cabin that has served as a family gathering spot for vacations and reunions for 24 years.
``When you think this may not be here tomorrow, then the lump starts in your throat,'' he said.
Virginia Montonye, 89, crossed the street from her home to the post office Friday to hear updates on the fire. She had already packed boxes of medicine, cat supplies and mementos, but she said she hoped she wouldn't need to evacuate.
``Anything like this, it's scary, not so much for me but for other people,'' she said.
Fire officials believe the Three Forks fire, which was burning in meadows, pine, spruce and fir trees, was ignited by a camper. The fire's origin was at a campsite in the middle of the woods rather than a designated campground.
Some camping gear was found in the area but authorities had no immediate suspects, said Dyson.
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