MORENCI, Ariz. (AP) — A 39-mile stretch of a scenic highway in a sparsely populated part of eastern Arizona is closed due to a lightning-sparked wildfire burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
The Arizona Department of Transportation says travelers can get round the closure of U.S. 191 between Morenci and Hannagan Meadow by detouring on U.S. 180 and State Route 78 in western New Mexico.
The department says the closure is expected to be prolonged and that the highway is open only to local traffic. According to a post on the multia-gency Inciweb website, the fire as of Tuesday had burned 800 acres of timber and brush.
