WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Sixty-four homes have been evacuated under threat of a fire that began as a controlled burn but was whipped out of control by gusty winds, authorities said.
Kabaib National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said Saturday that the Coconino County Sheriff's Office used a reverse 911 call system to alert residents in the Escalante subdivision of Williams. The small northern Arizona city is surrounded by forest.
Moore said no structures have been burned in the fire, which was lit Thursday about three miles from Williams.
The fire was planned to consume about 900 acres, but has burned an additional 800 acres, or more than 1 square mile, amid windy conditions.
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