Arizona Wildfire Forces Evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire in Arizona forced the evacuation of more than 100 homes on Sunday. The community of Yarnell was quickly evacuated by a one square-mile wildfire in central Arizona.

Arizona State Forestry Division spokeswoman Carrie Dennett assured that no homes were lost in the fire, which happened northwest of Yarnell. However, the flames still came within a half-mile of some homes.

Crews have been hard at work to guard the homes against the fire and prevent an additional 450 homes from being evacuated as well.

The Yarnell Hill fire stated on Friday, but it picked up in intensity on Sunday while central Arizona experienced close to record-high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds.

Two hundred firefighters were assigned to combat the fire, but 130 more are on their way with more water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and other aircraft.

The Red Cross set up a facility at Yavapai College in Prescott to help those who were evacuated by the Arizona wildfire. The organization is providing refreshments and a break from the heat. If needed, the Red Cross will also set up a shelter there.

The Yarnell Hill fire is just one of several wildfires burning in the United States. A 10 square-mile fire is burning a few hundred miles away from Yarnell in the Prescott National Forest. That blaze began 12 days ago and is now 96 percent contained. The Doce Fire forced the evacuation of hundreds, though the evacuation orders have since been lifted.

In Colorado, the West Fork complex fires continued to burn, forcing the long-term evacuation of some residents in the area. The blaze was just two percent contained on Saturday. More than 1,400 firefighters were on the scene over the weekend to hopefully bring the blaze under control. They have been hampered by high temperatures and winds, along with limited access to the burning forest.

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