Arizona fire grows, more evacuations

PHOENIX — Fire officials say a wildfire in Arizona has grown to 32 square miles (83 square kilometres) and forced more evacuations. Spokeswoman Tiffany Davila says the fire about 160.9 kilometres north of Phoenix forced the evacuation of Mayer and parts of Dewey-Humboldt along with several other communities. Some areas and subdivisions are under preevacuation notices. Davila said Wednesday that winds ranging to 56 kph are blowing the fire toward those areas.

The fire is burning around Prescott, a mountain city that draws a mix of desert dwellers escaping the heat, retirees and visitors to its famed Old Westthemed Whiskey Row.