WINONA – On April 8, 2018 around 12:17 pm Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call reference a fire in the Winona area along N. Copley Drive. Evacuation notifications were done through Code Red and door to door notifications. One arrest was made.

On April 8 around 12: 17 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a fire in the Winona area, a community located approximately 10 miles east of Flagstaff, AZ near Interstate 40. Units arrived on scene and observed fire units from Summit Fire District working an active fire in the area of North Copley Drive.

Around 12:30 pm, Code Red was activated for the Winona area and pre-evacuation information also was sent out to the Doney Park and Timberline Fernwood areas. By approximately 1:00 pm, 75 homes had been evacuated in the Winona area. Fire Units from Summit Fire, Flagstaff Fire, US Forest Service, Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter and other Northern Arizona fire units worked to contain the fire throughout the afternoon and evening.

During an investigation into the fire, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office arrested Steve Carter a 54-year-old male and resident on Copley Drive in connection with the fire. Mr. Carter was burning yard debris when the fire got away from him and grew out of control. High winds and dry conditions also were a factor. Steve Carter was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for 3 counts of Felony Endangerment, 1 count Misdemeanor Reckless Burning and 1 count of Felony Criminal Damage.

The evacuation was lifted at approximately 8:00 pm and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Fire and Sheriff units stayed in the area throughout the night. One residential structure and multiple outbuilding burned along with 86 acres.

In addition to the previously listed agencies assisting, the Sheriff’s office would like to thank additional resources that assisted: Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Coconino Emergency Management, Coconino Public Works, AZ Game and Fish and the residents of Winona for their part in working to reduce the fire threat.