Crews get handle on Arizona wildfire outside Flagstaff as winds die down, highway reopens
By APThursday, May 6, 2010
Winds die down as crews get handle on Ariz. blaze
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Officials in Arizona’s Coconino National Forest say crews are starting to get a handle on a wildfire burning northeast of Flagstaff.
Officials say the blaze has charred an estimated 550 acres of forest land about a mile west of U.S. Highway 89 by Thursday evening and has crossed over to a small area on the highway’s east side.
The highway was closed for a short time Thursday because of poor visibility from smoke, but it has now been reopened.
No structures are being threatened and forest officials say there are no calls for any evacuations.
Officials say the fire is human-caused and has been whipped by high winds that have since died down.
More than 150 firefighters, 14 fire engines, two dozers and three water tenders are on the scene.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — High winds are fueling a wildfire burning along one of the highways to the Grand Canyon.
Coconino National Forest spokeswoman Brienne Magee says the 89 Mesa Fire has charred about 350 acres of forest land about a mile west of U.S. Highway 89 and crossed over into a small area on the east side.
Authorities closed a two-mile section of the highway about 10 miles north of Flagstaff because of low visibility.
No structures have burned, but fire officials say a nearby subdivision and power lines are threatened. Officials say the fire was human-caused.
More than 150 firefighters, 14 fire engines, two bulldozers and three water tenders were on the scene.
