NUTRIOSO, Ariz. (AP) -- A 7,897-acre wildfire burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest southwest of this tiny community in eastern Arizona is expected to be fully contained this week, a forest official said Sunday.
The fire was 75 percent contained Sunday and authorities said they were increasing optimistic that the blaze wouldn't burn vacation homes or cottages in Nutrioso.
Dorman McGann, a fire spokesman, said diminished winds have led to ``very little activity'' for the blaze.
The fire acreage grew by about 600 acres Saturday but much of that total was from burnout operations and more exact mapping, authorities said.
Crews were doing mop-up work along fire lines and conducting burnout operations on the west and north sides of the blaze until midnight Saturday.
McGann said if the fire continues to lay down and weather conditions cooperate, the blaze could be fully contained by Thursday.
The Three Forks Fire, which was burning meadows, pine, spruce and fir trees, remained a little more than a mile from the area designated as the trigger point for evacuations.
But the fire continued to cool down and has not moved any closer to Nutrioso since Thursday.
Fire officials believe the fire, which started Tuesday, 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 said they had no immediate suspects.
______
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) -- A fire burning on Coronado National Forest and Fort Huachuca land had charred 40 acres and was 80 percent contained Sunday morning, a forest official said.
The Mud fire was reported around 8:20 a.m. Saturday and forest officials were not sure of its origin. Full containment was expected Sunday night.
The blaze was burning south of Sierra Vista near Fort Huachuca but no structures were threatened, said forest spokeswoman Marylee Peterson.
______
Related: