Arizona Wildfire Raging Out Of Control, Thousands Preparing To Flee
COOPER: Tonight, firefighters in Northern Arizona are battling a fire that already consumed close to 5,000 acres started on Tuesday just north of Sedona near Slide Rock State Park. Since then it has become an inferno. Hundreds of homes and cabins are at risk in the popular resort area. Evacuations have begun. I mean, the flames, look at them, just crazy, out of control. Thousands have been put on notice that they could be forced to flee and just like in Southern California the fierce wildfire is getting a jump on the fire season threatening lives and property. Ana Cabrera has the latest.</s>ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Zero percent contained, ominous words from fire officials battling a wildfire that's spreading rapidly. Dubbed the slide fire the blaze near Sedona, Arizona has already scorched nearly 5,000 acres, the tender dry region is textbook for fires to burn out of control.</s>CAPT. BILL MORSE, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire gets into that steep terrain with heavy fuels and it is wind-driven, it is a bad combination and the potential for a catastrophic wildfire.</s>CABRERA: Planes and choppers swoop in, spraying water where hundreds of firefighters are on the front lines battling the fire that is threatening over 3,000 residents.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is my home, property and livelihood, everything.</s>CABRERA: Frank Garrison owns 20 rental cabins in the area, a popular tourist destination.</s>FRANK GARRISON, RESIDENT: We were able to get all of our employees out. My family out and guests out.</s>CABRERA: Residents are bracing for the worst.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm getting ready to get the hell out of here.</s>CABRERA: Rushing to grab whatever belongings they can before evacuating.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hear it is close, coming, zero percent contained at this point so we have some -- trying to be ahead of the game.</s>CABRERA: One woman desperately trying to find all of her cats.</s>AMY REESE, RESIDENT: We're just trying to round them up and get them to a safer place. So I have three right now and we're looking for about six.</s>CABRERA: Authorities say the cause of the fire is under investigation, but that it was probably started by a person.</s>MORSE: It is a big fire, a bit of a beast.</s>CABRERA: A beast at the beginning of a fire season that authorities fear could be long and destructive.</s>COOPER: Ana Cabrera joining us from Flagstaff, so what is the latest, have any structures been damaged?</s>CABRERA: The good news is no homes damaged. So far no injuries and at last check the fire was some three, three and a half miles from those homes. The side where the firefighters are concentrating their efforts. The northwest flank of the area where they're doing dropouts or burnouts, dropping the fire retardant, we're not out of the woods yet, Anderson. We are told, you know, the next three hours will be crucial. Mother Mature is the big x factor and the winds are still not predictable. You see the huge plume of smoke that is really magnified because the sun is setting, here behind me showing the fire activity is still burning very hot. We're told if we can get through today then fire crews will feel a lot more confident about getting the fire under control -- Anderson.</s>COOPER: All right, well, we wish them well. Thanks very much. There is a lot more happening tonight. Susan Hendricks is here with the 360 Bulletin -- Susan.</s>SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, actor, Michael Jace who played a police officer on "The Shield" has been formally charged with one count of murder in the shooting death of his wife. April Jace was found dead at the couple's home on Monday after her husband called 911 to report that she had been shot. The U.S. agency that investigates air crashes is calling for better testing of lithium ion batteries on the Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The NTSB also says the FAA needs to revise its 2008 battery standards for all aircraft. Here is why, this is what can happen when lithium-ion batteries short circuit and overheat, which led to a fire on a Boeing Dreamliner a year ago. And look here, a baby in China falling from a window ledge. Wow, do you believe that? He catches the baby. He was a street vendor, Anderson. He was just standing there and was able to catch the baby. That is amazing to see.</s>COOPER: And how is the camera right there?</s>HENDRICKS: I know. It looks like maybe surveillance video. It is moving a little bit. But he said look, it was human instinct, I'm not a hero. I say he is.</s>COOPER: Wow. Susan, thanks very much. Up next, one woman's incredible story of survival.</s>COOPER: Did doctors tell you how much longer you could have survived?</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What my parents told me that they were told was probably another eight hours.</s>COOPER: Eight hours.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And then I would have passed.</s>COOPER: Her name is Kristin Hopkins. She survived a terrible car crash. That is how her car ended up. She was stuck in that car for five days. Her body was broken, her will to live could not be beaten. Also ahead, new information about the greatest art heist the world has ever seen. We'll look back at how the thieves pulled it off and where the paintings may now be.