FLAGSTAFF — Additional resources are allowing firefighting efforts to expand to the east on the Tunnel Fire 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff, while firefighters wait to see if established lines around many parts of the 21,087-acre fire hold up to today’s critical fire weather and strong winds.
Since the start of the fire, firefighting efforts have focused on protecting homes and property on the west side of the fire—namely Timberline Estates and Wupatki Trails subdivisions, as well as along Forest Road 420 (Schultz Pass Road).
Proving how challenging the weather and wind component is with this fire, last night at approximately 9 p.m. a spot fire began in Division Alpha in the area of 89 Mesa. Firefighters are working to contain the spot that is currently estimated at 100-150 acres.
With an increase in resources and arrival of the Type 1 Incident Management Team, firefighters will work to get a line around the entire fire. Firefighters will be working on constructing line near Black Mountain today, just east of O’Leary Peak and hand crews will begin constructing line in the Strawberry Crater Wilderness Area.
Though welcome rain fell this morning across many parts of the fire, strong winds forecast today and shifting winds out of the north and east forecast for Saturday and Sunday are still a major concern for fire managers. The fire is currently 21,087 acres and three percent contained. Fire managers are hesitant to call certain areas contained until these wind events pass.
The Coconino National Forest has instituted a Forest Closure Order (PDF) for the area affected by the Tunnel Fire. U.S. Highway 89 is still closed from near milepost 425 (Campbell Road intersection) to 445, but officials are assessing conditions daily. The reopening of the highway is dependent on fire activity and closure allows quick and safe response for firefighters.
Current firefighting resources on scene include 371 firefighters, nine 20-person hand crews, five dozers, 30 engines, one air attack plane, two Type 1 helicopters, and one Type 3 helicopter.
Information about evacuations, structures that have been burned, and when people might be able to return is handled by Coconino County, which is posting updates online via their Coconino County Tunnel Fire page. The County has also established a Coconino County Tunnel Fire Call Center at 928-679-8525 that the public can call with questions.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office released a statement last night that an estimated 109 properties were impacted by the fire, including 30 residences that were burned and 24 properties with outbuildings destroyed.