CAVE CREEK, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say a brush fire in the town of Cave Creek that grew to 1.4 square miles (3.6 kilometers) now is 67% contained and evacuation orders will be lifted Tuesday.
Arizona State Forestry officials say the fire believed to be human-caused was reported last Saturday afternoon and some 500 homes were evacuated involving about 1,000 residents.
Some residents were allowed to return home Sunday night with the rest by noon Tuesday.
Authorities say the brush fire destroyed 20 structures including eight homes.
They say the fire was fueled by triple-digit temperatures, dry vegetation and wind gusts as it more than doubled in size over a two-hour period Saturday.
The fire came a week after crews contained another human-caused brush fire near Cave Creek, about 33 miles north of Phoenix.
