What to know about Tunnel Fire: Residents return home, US 89 reopened

The Tunnel Fire burning 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff grew slightly to 21,164 acres on Sunday morning, as most residents were allowed to go home.

The fire, burning across U.S. 89, was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. on April 17, and was at 3% containment as of Sunday morning, according to InciWeb, a government website that tracks wildfires.

The cause of the blaze is unknown and under investigation.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday night that a "go" evacuation order would be lifted for residents living in neighborhoods along U.S. 89 as of 9 a.m. on Sunday. Tunnel Fire Incident Management Team determined that the status and condition of the fire is no longer an "imminent threat" to the area.

Operations Sections Chief James Osborne said in a Saturday community meeting, held at Sinagua Middle School, that fire crews worked on Saturday to contain the fire by taking advantage of the light wind conditions to mop up the fire and secure the control line to prepare for next week's strong winds.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office reported on Thursday night that about 109 properties were impacted by the fire, including 30 burned residences and 24 properties with destroyed outbuildings, forest officials said.

'It's gone. Your house is gone': Tunnel Fire destroys 30 homes, displaces dozens of families near Flagstaff

On Thursday, Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency to assist communities impacted by the fire. More than 750 households have been evacuated, according to a statement released by his office.

The declaration of emergency will make $200,000 from the general fund available to the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management Allen Clark.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, which allows them to spend emergency funds and request support from the state of Arizona.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, U.S. 89 reopened Sunday around 12:30 p.m. after being closed for about five days due to the fire.

Where is the Tunnel Fire burning?

The fire is burning northeast of Flagstaff across U.S. 89, to the east of San Francisco Mountain, the northwest of the tourist attraction Hundred Dollar Hill, the west of Black Bottom Crater and south of the Deadman Mesa mountain peak.

The Tunnel Fire has covered a northwest portion of Black Bill Park and is burning in the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. The fire also has reached Black Mountain.

The western portion of the Tunnel Fire is burning through a part of the scar of Schultz Fire, which burned over 15,000 acres of forest and was the largest wildfire in Arizona in 2010. The fuels that the Schultz Fire left are more likely helping to spread new fires.

Information for residents returning home after evacuation for Tunnel Fire

Late Saturday, all neighborhoods previously evacuated were put back in "set' status, allowing residents to return home.

"Residents returning to the area are reminded that the conditions and status of evacuation levels could change at any time based on fire behavior," the Coconino County National Forest officials said in a statement.

According to the Coconino County Situational Awareness Viewer, the areas that should prepare for possible evacuation orders are:

• South of Campbell Avenue, west of U.S. 89.

• South of Campbell Avenue, east of U.S. 89.

• Antelope Hills.

• Moon Crater.

Neighborhoods changed from "go" to "set" status effective Sunday morning include Timberline, Fernwood, Wupatki Trails, Girls Ranch Road and Lenox Park.

Evacuated residents are asked to report in person to the north parking lot of the Silver Saddle Trading Post, located at 9001 N. U.S. 89 in Flagstaff. Residents will be required to show identification or other documents verifying their address before they are allowed entry. Once the check-in process is completed, residents will be able to access their properties.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office and National Forest said as residents return, people should be aware of expected "by-products" of the wildfire.

"Examples of hazards include fire weakened trees that may fall without warning, loss of ground vegetation can loosen rolling debris and rocks and ash pits from stumps may look benign, but will hold hot ash for quite a while and can cause severe burns if stepped in," forest officials said in a statement Sunday.

"Should you observe hazardous tree or structure issues, we ask you to contact the appropriate agency on their non-emergency numbers to address these problems," said the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

Those unsure about an evacuation notice or who feel it might be a scam can call law enforcement agencies to confirm evacuation stages. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office asked to call its non-emergency number at 928-774-4523 and the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-4114.

The National Forest asked people not call 911 about smoke or fires unless it is outside the fire perimeter or seems threatening. If you're unsure, do call 911.

USPS is holding mail for the Tunnel Fire area residents, Coconino County said in a tweet. Residents should go to the postal office at 2400 Postal Blvd, with a picture ID to pick up mail. FedEx is also holding packages at 5700 S. Pulliam Drive Call 928-213-8234 or 928-864-9776 for more information.

Where are the shelters? How can I give or receive help?

Shelters

A Red Cross Shelter at Sinagua Middle School closed Sunday, according to the Red Cross. The shelter at Yavapai College, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, remains open. Animals are not allowed into the evacuation center.

Pets and animals

Household animals can be taken to the Coconino Humane Association at 3501 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff, and horses, goats, sheep, pigs and chickens can be taken to the Fort Tuthill County Stables. The stables are self-service, so people are responsible for feeding and watering. Coconino County advised taking cages for smaller livestock.

NAU assistance

Northern Arizona University President José Luis Cruz Rivera announced Friday morning that the university will provide immediate assistance with housing, meals, or emergency funds for all Lumberjacks, according to a tweet by the university.

All students need to do is email president@nau.edu with information. NAU's leadership team is on standby to assist any students in need.

Assistance for residents affected

People who have been affected by the fire and are in need of assistance can visit the Coconino County Community Assistance Center located at 2695 E. Industrial Drive in Flagstaff from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Grocery cards are available by filling out a form.

To request support and resources including shelter, pet food, meal distribution, hygiene items, and financial assistance, residents can fill out an intake form online at https://www.coconino.az.gov/help.

According to Jeronimo Vasquez, District 2 supervisor, a behavioral crisis line is also available to residents 24/7 at 877-756-4090.

Evacuees can find more information on safety protocols and indications of how to dispose of hazardous waste and spoiled food upon returning by visiting https://www.coconino.az.gov/2900/Re-Entry-Information.

For those who want to provide assistance to people impacted by the Tunnel Fire, the United Way and Salvation Army are accepting donations.

The Salvation Army Flagstaff is accepting the following items:

• Various size clothes (men, women, and children's sizes)

• Small animal feed/food

• Personal care/hygiene items

• Blankets and bedding

Drop off donated items at The Salvation Army Flagstaff, 3815 E. Huntington St., Flagstaff.

To donate to United Way of Northern Arizona, text UWNARESPONSE TO 41444 or donate via the United Way website.

Fire crews take advantage of light wind conditions

On Sunday, firefighters will continue to work around Timberline Estates and Wupatki Trails subdivisions, forest officials said in a statement.

"Crews will continue working the spot fire on 89 Mesa and construct fireline in the Strawberry Crater Wilderness area," the statement read.

As of Sunday, 366 fire personnel were working on the fire.

Lighter wind conditions have allowed fire crews to make progress in further containing the blaze, Osborne said during Saturday's community meeting.

"Due to the lesser wind conditions, the calmer winds that we've had today, we have been able to utilize a helicopter up there," he said. "We'll continue to use the helicopter on the fire perimeter as the winds allow."

According to Osborne, fire crews had not used helicopters to put out the fire in past days as the wind conditions made it ineffective and unsafe for ground crews.

Friday morning saw an increase in humidity from light rain and snow that fell in the area, which assisted fire crews in containment. However, precipitation is not expected in the next several days.

"(On Friday) the fire saw some light precipitation, they even saw some slight snowfall, but not very much accumulated, so it wasn't really enough to have a big impact on the fire," Megan Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, said.

Meteorologist Marvin Percha said in a Saturday community meeting that weather conditions in the next few days will be "much more favorable for firefighting conditions."

Higher wind speeds are expected to ramp up early next week, with stronger winds expected for Tuesday through Thursday. Wind gusts could reach 30 mph, according to the weather service.​​​​​

Percha added that the change in wind directions combined with cooler temperatures will bring smoke closer to residential areas, but he advised residents not to be alarmed.

"Just because you smell (smoke) tonight, doesn't mean the fire is any closer," Percha said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff: Evacuations lifted, donations accepted