A wildfire in east-central Arizona that has doubled in size to nearly 42 square miles is burning in an area with more sparse vegetation.
Navajo County spokesman Adam Wolfe said Monday afternoon that the community of Cedar Creek remains under pre-evacuation notice only.
He says the eastern edge of the fire--known as Cedar Fire--has crossed over the Cedar Creek drainage, but the southern perimeter is still about 2 1/2 miles north of the Cedar Creek community of about 300 residents.
The fire is estimated at 26,739 acres. At last check, the fire's containment is undetermined.
Three community meetings have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
A spokesperson for @NavajoCountyAZ told me about 200 people attended public meeting this morning. Next meeting at 6:30 tonight #CedarFire
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) June 21, 2016
One was held Monday morning. A second meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. It will take place at Blue Ridge High School's auditorium, 1200 W. White Mountain Boulevard in Lakeside.
A third meeting was scheduled for Tuesday at Show Low City Hall. That meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. City Hall is located at 181 N. 9th Street in Show Low.
Multi-agency operations chief Todd Abel says the fire also isn't moving quickly toward Cedar Creek because of shifting winds.
Fire officials say 23 crews continue to do burnout operations and additional resources have been ordered.
The fire began June 15 and its cause remains under investigation.
