KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST, Ariz.- A lightning-caused wildfire continued to tear through the Kaibab National Forest Saturday while firefighters could do little to slow its advance.
About 600 people were battling the fire about 20 miles northeast of Williams. It has now burned more than 4,100 acres and firefighters have been able to cut lines around only 5 percent of the blaze. Three air tankers dropping red fire retardant and four helicopters making water drops were assisting the ground battle.
So far, the fire has remained in wilderness areas, but residents in Williams and Parks awoke to a haze of thick smoke lingering in their towns Saturday morning.
There is no threat those communities,'' forest spokeswoman Irma Matson said. ''People are panicking, but
A temporary closure is in effect for areas of the Kaibab and Coconino national forests surrounding Kendrick Peak.
The fire started Wednesday when lightning struck the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness.