Wildfire Threatens Communities, Forests

Firefighters cleared brush and dug containment lines as they tried to stop a wildfire from reaching four nearby communities and forests weakened by tree-killing beetles.

The fire, which has charred more than 170,000 acres, was just five miles east of Black Canyon City and Interstate 17, connecting Phoenix and Flagstaff. No evacuations were planned, though officials said they might need to close the highway periodically through the holiday weekend if the smoke worsened.

“It’s looking real good,” fire spokeswoman Emily Garber said. “Our big concern is protecting the east flank and Black Canyon City. We think we have enough lag time to do so.”