Tunnel Fire: Containment jumps to 89%; over 19,000 acres charred near Flagstaff
Firefighters continued to get a better handle on the Tunnel Fire burning 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff as containment grew to 89% while its size decreased a few acres to 19,075 acres as of Friday morning.
The fire, burning across U.S. 89, was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. on April 17, and its cause was under investigation, according to InciWeb, a government website that tracks wildfires.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office reported on April 21 that about 109 properties were impacted by the fire, including 30 burned residences and 24 properties with destroyed outbuildings, forest officials said.
Containment defines the amount of the fire's perimeter surrounded by a control line that the fire will not cross.
A red flag warning was in effect Thursday due to low humidity levels and increased winds. Firefighters patrolled and mopped up the area. Any active burning was expected to continue within the existing fire perimeter, according to InciWeb.
Fire crews were expected to remain working on the fire for several days to patrol for smoke and mop-up hot spots as needed, finish backhaul of equipment that is no longer in use and to complete suppression repair.
After the work has been completed, resources will be released and made available to respond to other priority fires in the Southwest, according to InciWeb.
Management of the Tunnel Fire transitioned to the Coconino National Forest and a local fire management team at 7 a.m. Friday.
The U.S. Forest Service announced on Friday that the Coconino National Forest will be entering Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions starting May 5 at 8 a.m. There are three stages of fire restrictions that can be put in place by the United States National Forest Service outlined here on their website.
The City of Flagstaff will also enter Stage 1 fire restrictions, with details of the restrictions within the city listed here.
They will continue to give periodic updates, according to the Forest Service.
Where is the Tunnel Fire burning?
The fire was burning northeast of Flagstaff across U.S. 89, to the east of San Francisco Mountain, northwest of tourist attraction Hundred Dollar Hill, west of Black Bottom Crater and south of Deadman Mesa mountain peak.
The Tunnel Fire has covered a northwest portion of Black Bill Park and was burning in the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. The fire also has reached Black Mountain.
The western portion of the Tunnel Fire was burning through a part of the scar of the 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 were likely helping to spread new fires.
Wildfire map: Track where fires are burning in Arizona in 2022
As of Thursday morning, 338 fire personnel were working on the fire.
In a video update Thursday, incident commander Randy Johnson said firefighters made good progress with fire extinguishing and containment Wednesday.
Firefighters continued patrolling and securing the fire lines Thursday. Crews also continued returning equipment no longer needed and began repairing disturbances caused by suppression efforts.
Johnson said fire crews would continue working on the fire when management transitions to local authorities.
Inciweb will be updated until the fire is contained.
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Information for residents returning home
On Thursday night, neighborhoods put in "set" status by officials were moved back down to "ready." Ready is the first step in the state's three-step evacuation framework.
Several factors including fire behavior, fuel types, natural barriers, estimated time of evacuation, and other factors were used to determine that these areas were no longer in imminent danger from the fire, according to InciWeb.
The areas included Timberline, Fernwood, Lenox Park, Girls Ranch Road, Wupatki Estates, Antelope Hills, and the residences east/northeast of Moon Crater in Alpine Ranchos, according to Coconino County Sheriff's Office.
The downgrade in evacuation orders is mainly applicable for the private properties and neighborhoods within the Highway 89 corridor north of Campbell Avenue to the north entrance of Forest Service Road 545 also known as Wupatki National Monument.
U.S. 89 has reopened as well.
"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.
Those areas of the Coconino National Forest, including the Cinder Lakes Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area, will remain closed due to a temporary closure order from the U.S. Forest Service, the sheriff's office said.
Forest Service Road 545 will be closed until further notice from Highway 89 to milepost 12 through Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, the sheriff's office said.
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.
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 was also holding packages at 5700 S. Pulliam Drive. Call 928-213-8234 or 928-864-9776 for more information.
How can I give or receive help?
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 sizes of clothes (men, women, and children sizes)
Small animal feed/food
Personal care/hygiene items
Blankets and bedding
Drop off donated items at The Salvation Army Flagstaff, 3815 E Huntington Street, Flagstaff.
To donate to United Way of Northern Arizona, text UWNARESPONSE TO 41444 or donate via the United Way website.
Highlands Fire District is also collecting donations, including:
Baby Items
Clothing
Gift Cards
Household Items
Drop off donations with a Highlands fire employee at Highlands Fire District Station 23, at 3350 Old Munds Highway, instead of leaving the items outside.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tunnel Fire: Containment jumps to 89%; over 19,000 acres charred
