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PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona authorities were fighting a handful of small fires on Sunday, but not of the blazes were threatening homes.

State police closed Interstate 17 in an area about 20 miles north of Black Canyon City for a brush fire in the median.

The fire, which was putting up heavy smoke, caused traffic to back up for about 3 miles.

State police say the fire was contained entirely within the median and bound by two lanes on each side.

Meanwhile authorities said the Comet fire east of Phoenix was 50 percent contained and that calmer winds Sunday helped crews fight the blaze.

It has burned 200 acres.

A couple other small fires ignited Sunday but no homes were threatened and no injuries were reported.