Firefighters say they expect to keep a wildfire from moving any closer to a rural eastern Arizona town.
Fire officials said Wednesday the southern edge of the blaze that is threatening the community of Cedar Creek made no significant movement in the last 24 hours thanks to sparse vegetation.
The blaze, which has burned some 67 square miles, is about 2 1/2 miles north of Cedar Creek.
Crews will now be focused on expanding fire lines and conducting burnout operations.
More than 15,000 people in Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low, along with others in the surrounding communities, remain under pre-evacuation notice.
Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency Tuesday.
The fire, which began June 15, is 22 percent contained.
ts cause remains under investigation.
