A popular scenic canyon in Arizona is burning bright as a wind-driven wildfire is threatening to destroy hundreds of homes.

The “Slide Fire” in Oak Creek Canyon 120 miles north of Phoenix is being fought by over 500 firefighters trying to stop the flames from consuming more than the 4,500 acres already burning.

Over 3,000 residents of the area are on alert for immediate evacuation should the winds continue to drive the flames into their housing developments.  Officials say that residents along a two-mile stretch along the canyon have already been forced to leave and it’s likely they will lose their homes to the flames.

“The fire has really been active and very aggressive,” Coconino Forest Service spokesman Brady Smith told Reuters. “We really have a big job on our hands.”

Firefighters say the fire is zero percent contained and at one point covered the entire rim of the canyon.  Sustained winds of 35 miles per hour are driving the flames.

The fire is believed to have been human-caused but they do not know if the fire was arson.  The Red Cross has set up shelters in anticipation of major evacuations.