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Firefighters keep Arizona wildfire near rural town at bay

Arizonawildfire.jpg
Posted at 11:47 AM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-22 14:49:42-04
Firefighters say they expect to keep a wildfire from moving any closer to a rural eastern Arizona town.
 
Fire officials said Wednesday the southern edge of the blaze that is threatening the community of Cedar Creek made no significant movement in the last 24 hours thanks to sparse vegetation.
 
The blaze, which has burned some 67 square miles, is about 2 ½ miles north of Cedar Creek.
 
Crews will now be focused on expanding fire lines and conducting burnout operations.
 
Pre-evacuation notices are still in effect for Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and the immediate surrounding areas.
 
Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency Tuesday to free up state dollars to battle the fire.
 
It is 22 percent contained.
 
It began June 15 and its cause remains under investigation.