EL MIRAGE, Ariz. (AP) - Fire officials say an intense mulch fire in an unincorporated Maricopa County island has been contained.
Authorities say the blaze started around 3 a.m. Wednesday and grew to at least an acre near Dysart Road and Olive Avenue, outside the city of El Mirage.
Television images showed plumes of smoke and some flames were visible from several miles away.
Rural/Metro Fire spokesman Shawn Gilleland says crews have established a solid perimeter but the flames will smolder and burn for a while.
The mulch piles are about two stories high and especially combustible in the hot and dry weather.
No structures are threatened.
Gilleland says the fire will likely not be out for several days.
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