CLINTS WELL, Ariz. - Favorable weather conditions are helping firefighters working to stop growth of a wildfire that has burned nearly 19 square miles of north-central Arizona forest while destroying 30 buildings and closing a state highway.
Fire management experts working on the fire say rain and snow have helped nearly 700 firefighters and other personnel virtually halt further spreading of the fire early Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Tinder Fire is burning about 50 miles south of Flagstaff.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office evacuation for affected communities north, east and west of Hwy 87 remains in effect.
The fire is 0 percent contained, but officials said significant progress had been made overnight.
A meteorologist on staff with the fire said there was about 1 inch of snowfall in the area. The snow did not stick, but officials said it is unusual to see snow on a wildfire. There was also .25 to .5 inches of rain.
The low temperatures do not significantly slow a fire, but the temperatures do take a heavy toll on crews trying to fight the fire, officials said.
Fire management team spokesman Brian Scott says firefighters are focused on protecting housing tracts on one side of the fire and securing a containment line on the opposite side to keep it out of a rugged canyon.
The "coldest" part of the fire is near the homes and cabins, though they are still considered threatened, Scott said Wednesday afternoon.
Utility crews are walking through the damaged property to ensure the areas are safe.
Authorities announced Tuesday that an illegal campfire that was abandoned started the fire Friday.
PHOTOS: Tinder fire burns in northern Arizona
Crews working on the fire reported seeing a drone in the area in early days of firefighting operations, officials said. Per protocol, air tankers fighting the fire were removed from the area for about 15 minutes. There is a temporary flight restriction in place in the area that prevents drone operators from flying over the fire.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.