Fire near Sierra Vista now 59% contained

SIERRA VISTA, AZ - Crews fighting the 44-square-mile Monument Fire in southern Arizona made more progress in building protection lines to shield an upscale neighborhood from the blaze.

Controlled fires were set Wednesday night in an effort to burn forest fuels between the fire and the homes on the outskirts of
Sierra Vista.

One remaining concern for firefighters is finishing up protection lines near the neighborhood's southwest side.

But evacuations were lifted Tuesday for the rest of the neighborhood and a larger number of nearby homes.

The fire has destroyed 57 homes and is 59 percent contained.

Heavy winds Sunday pushed the fire across a highway and led to more evacuations.

Crews have since taken advantage of lower winds.