4 p.m. update: Crews continue to battle Secret fire

A 6-acre fire burns Saturday 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff within the Secret Mountain Wilderness. (Coconino National Forest Service/Courtesy)

4 p.m. update:

The Secret fire, at the rim near Secret Mountain about 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff remains at about 6 acres as of 10 a.m. today. According to information from the U.S. Forest Service, the fire remains at 6 acres in size with visible smoke and is 30 percent contained. Nearly 40 Forest Service fire personnel are on scene including the Mesa Hotshots from the Tonto National Forest. Firefighters worked today on dropping snags and catching some spots thrown by the wind. Firefighters experienced strong southwest winds with gusts up to 50 mph and low relative humidity levels.

A line is in place on all sides of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. A red flag warning has been issued for northern Arizona, and temporary flight restrictions above the area are in place.

7 a.m. Sunday:

Today will be very windy across northern Arizona, with gusts up to 55 mph and visibility reduced to a quarter-mile in some areas due to blowing dust. Meanwhile, a hot shot crew will be on the scene of a 6-acre wildfire that broke out southwest of Flagstaff Saturday but was under control by evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning starting at 10 this morning for an area starting just east of Flagstaff and extending to the New Mexico border. Blowing dust will affect travel along the Interstate 40 corridor, and low relative humidity will create fire weather conditions north of the Mogollon Rim.

Winds will subside after midnight, with the rest of the week facing unsettled weather and highs in the low 50s.

A wildfire Saturday 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff within the Secret Mountain Wilderness was reported at 9 a.m. The smoke was visible from Flagstaff and the fire had reached 6 acres in size by the evening.

Heather Noel, a Forest Service spokesperson, said 19 firefighters responded to the remote site and had encircled the blaze with a fireline by nightfall. A National Park Service helicopter dropped water on the fire.

Noel said firefighters were expected to remain on scene overnight, and a type 2 hot shot crew will arrive in the morning as a precaution because of the high winds in the forecast.

Noel said no cause of the fire has been determined, but campers are reminded that all campfires must be out and cold to the touch before leaving a campsite.