PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on a wildfire burning in north-central Arizona (all times local):
7 p.m.
Six hot-shot crews now are battling a fast-moving wildfire that has charred more than 7 square miles (18 kilometers) in north-central Arizona and forced evacuations.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials ordered the town of Mayer evacuated late Tuesday afternoon as a precaution as winds of up to 35 mph fanned the flames.
The town has about 1,400 residents, and a shelter has been set up at Bradshaw High School in Prescott Valley.
Mayer’s post office has been closed until further notice because of the fire.
County spokesman David McAtee says the communities of Pine Flat and Breezy Pines already have been evacuated. He says there could be evacuations ordered for Walker, Potato Patch Campground, Mountain Pines Acres and Mount Union if the fire keeps growing.
More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, which is 5 percent contained. The cause of the fire isn’t immediately known.
Arizona Department of Forestry spokeswoman Tiffany Davila says the fire is burning thick vegetation and ponderosa pine in rugged terrain throughout Prescott National Forest about 14 miles south of Prescott.
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5:30 p.m.
A fast-moving wildfire now has charred more than 7 square miles in north-central Arizona and forced more evacuations.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials ordered the town of Mayer evacuated late Tuesday afternoon as a precaution.
The town has about 1,400 residents and a shelter was set up at Bradshaw High School in Prescott Valley.
County spokesman David McAtee says 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 as the fire progresses.
More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, which is 5 percent contained. The cause of the fire isn’t immediately known.
Arizona Department of Forestry spokeswoman Tiffany Davila says the fire is burning thick vegetation and ponderosa pine in rugged terrain throughout Prescott National Forest.
She says dense chaparral, rugged terrain and winds add to hazardous conditions firefighters face while combatting the blaze.
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2:05 p.m.
More than 500 firefighters are bracing for windy conditions as they continue to battle a wildfire in north-central Arizona that has burned 6.8 square miles.
Fire crews had contained 5 percent of the fire that’s scorching areas 14 miles south of Prescott.
Officials say the cause of the blaze still is unknown.
Yavapai County spokesman David McAtee says the communities of Pine Flat, Breezy Pines and the northern corner of Mayer have been evacuated Tuesday and area highways face closures.
Potential evacuations have been ordered for Walker, Potato Patch Campground, Mountain Pines Acres, and Mount Union as the fire progresses.
The fire is burning thick vegetation and ponderosa pine in rugged terrain throughout Prescott National Forest.
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