Fire has scorched 8,500 acres near town since Tuesday . Dust - dry pine needles , high winds and steep slopes make for ideal fire conditions . Hundreds of homes , businesses are threatened and have been evacuated . Chesmore is hoping , nonetheless , that 960 firefighters will be able to save her house and 300 other homes and businesses from an Arizona forest fire roaring through park land . The blaze is only 5 % contained three days after it was first reported .
Fire has scorched 8,500 acres near town since Tuesday . Dust - dry pine needles , high winds and steep slopes make for ideal fire conditions . Hundreds of homes , businesses are threatened and have been evacuated . The blaze is only 5 % contained three days after it was first reported .