More than 400 firefighters continue to battle the Juniper Fire in the Tonto National Forest.
The lightning-caused blaze started nearly three weeks ago. Firefighters have conducted preparation and burnout operations around private property, historical features and archaeological sites threatened by the fire.
About 18,000 acres have burned so far. The fire has also caused the intermittent closure of State Route 288 about 10 miles south of Young, east of Payson, Ariz.
The fire is about 20 percent contained.
