Ron Dungan/KJZZ

The Tussock Fire is visible from Interstate 17 on May 10, 2021.

Firefighters are battling a fire in the Crown King area north of Phoenix that began Saturday afternoon.

The Tussock Fire has burned 3,500 acres and will present a number of challenges.

The fire is burning in rugged canyons southwest of Crown King with no containment and is visible from I-17.

Dry, windy conditions fanned the fire Sunday.

More than 200 firefighters have been sent to battle the blaze with more on the way.

With wind, but no rain in the forecast, fire team spokesman Bill Morse said he expects the fire to be a challenging one.

“Heavy fuel, steep topography. There’s been no fire history or activity in that particular area in over 50 years so there’s a lot of fuel,” Morse said.

A number of small communities in the area have been evacuated, and Crown King residents could be next.