FLAGSTAFF – On Tuesday April 19, 2022 Sheriff Jim Driscoll ordered the “GO” evacuation of several neighborhoods in the Timberline/Fernwood area north of Flagstaff along Highway 89. This was in response to an active and fast-moving wildfire in the Coconino National Forest moving towards those neighborhoods.

As deputies were evacuating the area, the fire quickly moved into the vicinity, ultimately burning several properties, outbuildings, and residences. Deputies have conducted preliminary evaluations of the area and estimate approximately 109 properties were impacted by the fire, including 30 residences that were burned and 24 properties with outbuildings destroyed. At this point, all the owners of the residential structures have been notified of the loss. The fire moved extremely fast through this area due to the extreme weather conditions and high winds.

Since the “GO” order was given on Tuesday, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has been re-evaluating the need for the evacuation on a constant and continual in coordination with the Tunnel Fire Incident Management Team. To this point, it has been deemed unsafe to allow residents back into the area due to active fire still in the Timberline neighborhood, open and harmful utilities, active firefighting
efforts around the houses, and the fact that the neighborhoods are still in harm’s way.

This morning, CCSO met with the Tunnel Fire Incident Management Team to assess the need to keep the evacuation in place. Part of this assessment is based on weather forecasts for the next several days. The National Weather Service has forecasted southwest winds of 20-25 miles per hour, gusting to 36 miles per hour tonight, southwest winds of 20-25 miles per hour with gusty and erratic winds of 40-50 miles per hour on Friday, northwest winds on Saturday, and North winds on Sunday.

Due to the forecasted change in wind direction, wind speeds and gusts, the observed fire behavior and the condition of the fire line protecting the neighborhoods, the CCSO is following the recommendations set forth by the Tunnel Fire Incident Management Team and keeping all “GO” evacuations in place for the next 72 hours (until Sunday morning, April 24). There is still a high level of danger in the “GO”
evacuated areas and it is not prudent to open it to residents at this point. Safety of the community and the welfare of those who reside in and visit Coconino County remain the top priority.