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Rain helps crews battle wildfire near Arizona mountain city

Flagstaff, Ariz. • Light rain falling Wednesday in a forested Arizona city helped crews battle a wildfire that has raged for days in a mountain pass recreation area overlooking the city, officials said.

Up to 1 inch of rain was allowing ground crews to directly attack the fire, extinguish blames and build containment lines in an area where nearly 3 square miles have burned since Sunday, said fire management team spokesman Steve Kleist.

But forecasters warned of possible flooding because of thunderstorms expected to drench the area on Wednesday and Thursday in the zone scarred by the fire, which has prompted anxious residents to pack up prized possessions.