CLINT WELLS, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on a wildfire in north-central Arizona (all times local):
2:10 p.m.
Coconino National Forest officials are closing portions of numerous forest roads in the area of a wildfire in the vicinity of Clints Well southeast of Flagstaff.
Officials say the closures for public safety include an area encircled by segments of Forest Roads 81A, 9398L, 679, 81E, 81B, 83, 83A and 214.
Lightning started the fire Friday.
Officials say fire crews are managing the low-intensity fire while allowing it to burn to remove debris that could increase the intensity of a severe wildfire later in the fire season.
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9:25 a.m.
Coconino National Forest officials say they want a lightning-caused wildfire that’s so far burned only several hundred acres to grow much larger to remove dead wood and other fuel to reduce the risk of severe wildfire.
Officials predict the fire first spotted Friday above the Mogollon (MUH’-ghi-ohn) Rim about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Flagstaff will gradually burn across 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) over the next two weeks.
Firefighters will conduct burnouts to help direct where and how the fire moves through the landscape as they work to protect things such as structures, campsites and power lines.
Officials say smoke from the fire will be visible along roads and highways but relatively light and not expected to affect vehicle traffic.
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