From the Source:
"The outlook in Arizona remains grim a month after the Southwest Coordinating Center issued this wildfire forecast: 'Erratic and extreme fire-behavior potential will need to be considered as a given ... outside any typical historic frame of reference.'"
"Crews fighting a 450-acre fire near Slide Rock State Park on Tuesday night were expected to be joined by reinforcements early today in the effort to battle a northern Arizona fire that officials say is threatening 100 structures, including homes and vacation resort cabins.
About 100 firefighters were on scene and more resources were ordered as the fire quickly moved up steep canyon walls on Tuesday afternoon and heavy smoke filled Oak Creek Canyon, where fire officials say the Slide Fire was sparked.
The threatened structures are at the north end of the canyon. Evacuations were ordered along a 2-mile stretch from Slide Rock State Park north toward Junipine.
A shelter opened by the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter in Flagstaff was scarcely used on Tuesday night.
Slide Rock State Park is a favorite destination in the summer.
People visit in droves to slide down the naturally formed sandstone water slides. The 43-acre park is 7 miles north of uptown Sedona. The West Fork of Oak Creek is one of the most popular hikes in the state, with its towering cliffs, meandering stream bed and lush vegetation."
Above: "Smoke seen from Cornville, Ariz., May 20, 2014." Credit: Tom White/AZ Central