Arizona Brush Fires Force Families Out

A brush fire that has charred more than 1,800 acres in western Arizona forced 40 families to evacuate their homes Thursday.

About 200 firefighters were trying to tame the fire near the California border.

The fire has blackened part of the Havasu Wildlife Refuge and threatened the Topock Lake Ranchos neighborhood about 120 miles west of Flagstaff.

Authorities ordered the evacuations at noon. Six other families were evacuated Wednesday. The Red Cross set up a shelter at a high school.

Authorities believe the fire was deliberately set.