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Hundreds flee Arizona wildfires
19/06/2006 10:02 - (SA)
Sedona - A wildfire that quickly grew to 1 200ha forced the evacuation of about 400 homes and businesses in an unincorporated area in Oak Creek Canyon, said officials.
Fire officials said crews manning fire engines spread out throughout the area to defend the homes. There were no reports late on Sunday of any homes being damaged or destroyed, but the potential existed for that.
Kristy Bryner, a fire information officer, said: "It's going to be quite a fight not to lose them. This is very active fire behaviour."
The fire burned on Sunday on a mesa just above Oak Creek Canyon, more than 145km north of Phoenix.
180 homes evacuated
Another fire spokesperson Raquel Romero said that crews were concerned that downslope winds, which could be common at night, could push the fire into the canyon. She classified the threat to the homes as "very serious".
Brenda Grey, a spokesperson for Coconino County, said Oak Creek Canyon contained a mix of homes, including upscale houses and mobile home parks. She said it also contained hotels, resorts and stores that were scattered throughout the canyon.
The fast-moving fire ignited on Sunday afternoon in a wooded area and quickly led to the evacuations of about 180 homes in five Sedona subdivisions and Oak Creek Canyon, a popular scenic area in Coconino County between Sedona and Flagstaff.
The cause of the fire was unknown although authorities said there was no lightning on Sunday.
Four airplanes and three helicopters dumped retardant and water on the fire. Ninety people were fighting the blaze at last count, although officials said the number had grown significantly.
- AP
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