The fire was started by a lightening strike on Friday and has been gathering momentum over the weekend, rapidly devouring the dry forest amid exceptionally high temperatures and strong winds. Local officials said it has already covered 800-1000 acres.
An additional 130 firefighters and more water- and retardant-dropping aircraft were on their way to the site but officials expected the inferno would destroy around 250 homes in Yarnell - around half of the town.