Over a thousand residents of northern Scottsdale, Arizona, have been allowed to return to their homes after being evacuated due to a brush fire, now reported as 30% contained. The Arizona Department of Forestry lifted the evacuation orders Wednesday evening, allowing 1,145 people back to approximately 100 homes. While one outbuilding was lost, thankfully no injuries have been reported. The fire, which began Tuesday, quickly spread across nearly 2,000 acres fueled by dry grass and brush before firefighters established containment lines. The cause of the fire is suspected to be human-related, but investigations are ongoing. The Diamond Fire, as it's known locally, threatened the Rio Verde Foothills area, a community known for its mix of horse ranches and upscale homes. A nearby mountain park and wildlife conservation center were also at risk. Arizona officials have requested federal aid to cover a portion of the firefighting costs. This incident coincides with widespread haze and air quality issues across the Great Lakes region and parts of the central and eastern U.S. due to smoke drifting from Canadian wildfires.

Smoke billowing from the Diamond Fire, which has consumed over 2,500 acres, led to mandatory evacuations in Scottsdale, Arizona. The evacuation orders were lifted on Wednesday by the Arizona Department of Forestry. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)