Arizona Blaze Reaches 300 Acres

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- An elite fire management team was scheduled to take over Monday of firefighting operations against a 300 acre blaze burning in the Pinaleno Mountains.

The team was called in as a precaution since the fire was burning about six miles from the Mount Graham International Observatory and cabins are scattered in the area, said Marylee Peterson, a spokeswoman for the crew fighting the fire.

So far, the fire hasn't posed any threat to the cabins or observatory, Peterson said.

The fire was burning in the rugged terrain of Nuttall Canyon, which is within the Mount Graham Wilderness Study Area southwest of Safford.

Campers at Riggs Flat Recreation Area were evacuated as a precaution on Saturday after the lightning-sparked fire broke out.

Swift Trail was closed Saturday night and remained off limits to the public so that firefighters can use the roadway for equipment.