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Fire crews to contain 85 per cent of Arizona fire

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Fire officials say they expect to have a deadly Arizona blaze up to 85 per cent contained by Thursday night.

Operations section chief Carl Schwope of a multi-agency incident team says the blaze isn’t actively burning and crews have been working to ensure any embers are out cold. It was 45 per cent contained Thursday afternoon.

Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher says Peeples Valley residents will be able to return home Thursday evening.

Mascher says only those who can show proof of residency will be allowed past a checkpoint.

Evacuation orders for Yarnell remain in place.

The Yarnell Hill Fire was sparked by lightning on June 28. Two days later, violent winds fed the fire and took the Granite Mountain Hotshots by surprise, killing 19 members of the elite crew.

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The fire has burned more than 100 structures on about 13 square miles (33 sq. kilometres).

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