Fire crews fighting a blaze that has threatened 10,000 acres and hundreds of homes in Arizona have had some success. Crews focused on protecting homes by digging trenches and clearing out dry brush. The flames, fanned by strong winds, reached the back gardens of some homes, but fire commander Dugger Hughes said that no buildings had been burnt. “The homes are looking very secure right now,” he said.
Clouds of black and grey smoke covered the sky north of Flagstaff, and bright red and orange flames shot 60ft in to the air. The smoke lingered over roads, forcing drivers to use headlights during the day.
Residents of about 750 homes remained under evacuation orders, and Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil urged them to be patient while crews worked to put out the blaze, which is believed to have been started by an abandoned campfire.
Flagstaff, a mountain town of about 60,000 people, is a popular destination for tourists and home to Northern Arizona University. A ski resort lures visitors during the winter, while moderate temperatures provide an escape from more intense desert heat during the summer.