Crews try to stop AZ blaze from crossing fire line

Crews try to stop AZ blaze from crossing fire line

CROWN KING, Ariz. (AP) — Officials working to keep a wildfire near a historic Arizona mining town from spreading are telling any residents still in their homes to leave now.

High winds are pushing the blaze away from the mountain town of Crown King, a community of mostly summer homes about 85 miles north of Phoenix. But fire incident spokeswoman Michelle Fidler said winds could shift and push the fire back into the community where it started.

“Our official word is it’s time to go,” she said Wednesday.

Road access also is a concern. Fewer than 10 residents remain in their homes, Yavapai County sheriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn said, and they could become trapped if the flames cross or block access roads.

Firefighters also would be pulled out if that happens, Fidler said.

Most of the 350 residents initially chose to stay in the town that’s popular for all-terrain vehicles because of its numerous hills and gorges. But D’Evelyn said sheriff’s officials convinced 20 of the 30 residents still left early Wednesday morning to go.

“The smoke is so bad today, I think the concern is a little more enhanced,” he said.

Winds estimated at 35 mph on Tuesday helped the fire grow, fire officials said, and they were expecting much of the same conditions for the next couple of days.

The fire has consumed more than 2,000 acres, destroyed two homes and a trailer, and prompted an evacuation order on Sunday. The fire started at an occupied home, but fire investigators have yet to determine the cause.