KINGMAN – Residents of the Quail Crest area are in “READY” status should they be required to evacuate a wildfire burning on the east side of the Cerbat Mountains about six miles north of Kingman. The Bureau of Land Management said the blaze sparked Saturday afternoon had grown to 337 acres by Monday.

Fire information officer Jessica Richardson said the White Fire is chewing through grass and chaparral and some pinyon-juniper. She said two helicopters and two airplanes assisting 118 ground personnel made good progress Sunday slowing spread of the fire.

“Coordinated fire retardant drops between ground and air resources provide a safe alternative for fire managers, especially in difficult terrain,” Richardson said. “Fire crews also used more direct methods within Shadow Canyon to reduce the active spread of fire in the area.”

Firefighters were working to build containment lines Monday. She said rugged terrain and dry conditions present challenges.

“Daytime temperatures will continue to be above average for this time of year,” Richardson said.

No injuries are reported and no structures have been lost.

Kingman area fires in the Cerbat and Hualapai Mountains are frequently touched off by lightning. Richardson said the White Fire is “human-caused” though a specific origination determination has not yet been made.

• Dave Hawkins