Arizona wildfire burning in mountain pass holds steady

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A wildfire burning in a northern Arizona mountain pass is holding steady.

Fire officials said Friday the blaze grew modestly overnight. It has scorched more than 3 square miles (8 square kilometres) in the Coconino National Forest in Flagstaff since it started days ago.

Crews are working to bolster containment lines ahead of what is expected to be a drier and hotter weekend.

Fire information spokesman Steve Kliest says lower humidity will make smoke more prevalent in the communities.

The fire is 35 per cent contained.

The wildfire had forced the evacuation of about two dozen homes earlier this week. The residents have since returned.

A federal team began collecting data Friday to analyze the soil and come up with ways to minimize flooding.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.