Crews in Arizona Battling Blazes Concerned about High Temps
CORDES JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) -- A brush fire burning south of here remained at 6,900 acres early Wednesday and was 50 percent contained, officials said.
Fire crews were concerned about high temperatures and dry conditions as more than 200 firefighters continued to mop up the blaze Wednesday, said Rick Hartigan, a spokesman for the team fighting the fire.
No structures were threatened, Hartigan said.
Authorities said the blaze was no longer threatening archaeological sites and high voltage power lines that serve Phoenix.
The Sunset Point fire burned about a mile north of Black Canyon City, but it was moving away from the community, Hartigan said.
Northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near the fire reopened Tuesday afternoon, said Frank Valenzuela, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.
Officials urged drivers to proceed carefully as damaged guard rails along the highway were being restored.
AZTEC FIRE
PHOENIX (AP) -- Crews fighting a 1,300-acre wildfire in southern Arizona were focusing on extending a protection line around the blaze.
The Aztec fire near Red Mountain, about four miles south of Patagonia, was 50 percent contained and expected to be declared fully contained by Friday evening.
People living in 15 houses in the fire's path had been voluntarily evacuated earlier but were allowed to return home Sunday night.
Utilities also restored electric power service to about 100 homes. Their power had been turned off as precaution.
Portions of the Aztec fire burned in steep, rocky terrain and in narrow canyons, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the blaze in the Coronado National Forest.
The fire was first spotted Saturday afternoon and caused by an abandoned campfire.
About 460 people and three helicopters were fighting the blaze.
GOLDWATER FIRE
AJO, Ariz. (AP) -- A brush fire that grew to 40,000 acres on the Barry Goldwater Air Force Range north of here was 10 percent contained, authorities said.
The fire was burning in tall grass in wide open country, said Ken Palmrose, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management, and Lt. Brady Smith, a spokesman for Luke Air Force Base.
No structures were threatened. The blaze had threatened power lines, which were periodically shut down during the fire, Smith said.
About 30 firefighters were conducting burnout operations. Ten fire trucks, two heavy air tankers and one plane also were fighting the fire.
The blaze was under investigation and began in an area where aircraft do not drop ordnance, Smith said.
The fire was burning 3 miles west of Highway 85, which was closed between Gila Bend and Ajo on Tuesday afternoon.