KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP) - Crews patrolled and bolstered containment lines around a wildfire in mountains near Kingman as fire officials Thursday said they weren’t ready to allow residents to return to some 200 homes evacuated early in the week.
The fire in the Hualapai Mountains had burned 1,279 acres (5 square kilometers) of timber, brush and grass as of Thursday and was contained around 13% of its perimeter, fire officials said in a statement.
Recent snow and rain helped slow the fire’s growth but officials said dry and hot conditions were forecast to return beginning Friday along with gusty winds beginning Saturday.
The evacuation notices remained in effect due to “continued uncertainty with fire activity” and difficult and hazardous conditions on area roads due to heavy traffic involving trucks and other equipment being used to help fight the fire, officials said.
Cause of the fire was under investigation. It started Sunday.
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