Arizona wildfire forces evacuation of hundreds of homes

Fire crews struggled with hot, dry and windy weather as they fought to protect hundreds of US homes and businesses from a 1,500-acre wildfire creeping into northern Arizona’s scenic Oak Creek Canyon.

The fire started on Sunday and spread quickly, forcing the evacuation of about 400 homes and businesses in the narrow canyon and about 100 homes in five subdivisions on the rugged north side of Sedona. The fire was 5 per cent contained late yesterday afternoon.