PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) - A fast-moving wildfire charred more than 7 square miles in north-central Arizona on Tuesday and forced the evacuation of the town of Mayer as a precaution, along with other areas.
Mayer has about 1,400 residents, and a shelter was set up at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley.
Authorities said Mayer’s post office has been closed until further notice because of the fire, which was fanned Tuesday by 35 mph winds.
The communities of Pine Flat and Breezy Pines already have been evacuated with potential evacuations ordered for Walker, Potato Patch Campground, Mountain Pines Acres and Mount Union if the fire continues to grow, Yavapai County spokesman David McAtee said.
More than 500 firefighters, including six hotshot crews, were battling the blaze, which was 5 percent contained.
One structure was burned Monday night, but it wasn’t immediately known if it was a home, authorities said. There have been no reported injuries.
The fire began Saturday afternoon. Its cause remained unclear.
Winds pushed the fire Tuesday through dense fuels, some of which hasn’t burned in about 40 years, authorities said. The fire was burning thick vegetation and ponderosa pine in rugged terrain throughout Prescott National Forest about 14 miles south of Prescott, Arizona Department of Forestry spokeswoman Tiffany Davila said.
Additional firefighters from several other states would be arriving soon, she said.
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