CROWN KING, Ariz. (AP) -
High winds were expected to prove a
challenge Tuesday for firefighters battling a northern Arizona wildfire
that has forced residents from a historic mining town.
The blaze near Crown King
began on private land Sunday and had burned about 2½ square miles as of
Tuesday, with zero containment. Fire spokeswoman Karen Takai said winds
estimated at 35 mph were expected at the 1,600-acre blaze.
The fire near Crown King has destroyed two buildings and one trailer, Prescott National Forest spokeswoman Debbie Maneely said.
Authorities believe the blaze was started by a structure fire on private property.
The area remained under an
evacuation order Tuesday, though authorities said most of the town's 350
residents had chosen to stay.
Crown King is a community
of mostly summer homes about 85 miles north of Phoenix. It's a popular
destination for all-terrain vehicles because of its numerous hills and
gorges.
Taryn Denyce has been
staying at the bed-and-breakfast she operates in the mountain community
despite having no power due to the fire. Denyce said she can't leave to
get more gas for her generator because the U.S. Forest Service won't
allow people to re-enter Crown King.
"We have tons of food, but
if we can't keep our freezers going we won't have any food," Denyce
said. "I have three families working off of my generator."
While the high winds could
make things harder for firefighters, officials say they also could help
clear smoke from the blaze and several others in Arizona that has been
shrouding the Phoenix area.
Smoke from a fire south of
Payson fire drifted into Phoenix over the weekend. That fire was 5
percent contained Tuesday after charring nearly 7 square miles in the
Tonto National Forest. Authorities have yet to determine a cause.
No structures in the high wilderness area are threatened.
The fires follow a warning
from Arizona land managers that hot temperatures and dry vegetation have
created a very high fire risk in some parts of the state.
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