Pipeline and Haywire Fire update: smoke may be visible on fire perimeter

6/18/2022 - 9:49 am

Evacuations, road and trail closures, and restrictions

Evacuations remain in place for Shultz Pass Road, Arizona Snowbowl, Crater Estates/Alpine Ranchos West, O’Leary, and east of Highway 89. Evacuation information can be found at https://www.coconino.az.gov/2926/Pipeline-FireHaywire-Fire.

An area closure is in place on the Coconino National Forest for the Pipeline Fire. See the Forest’s website for full descriptions of road closures and fire restrictions at www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/.

Fire behavior

Several years of persistent drought has much of northern Arizona in severe or extreme drought. The drought combined with the time of year has both the live and dead fuels at critically dry levels. The fire is now burning well within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness which has minimal recorded fire history. This area has both heavy loading and a high suppression difficulty index with minimal suppression opportunities.

Smoke may be visible within the perimeter of the fire – please do not call 911 on smoke within the burned area, only call 911 for smoke in non-burned areas outside the fire’s perimeter.

Pipeline Fire

Today’s focus continues along patrol and containment lines. Crews will transition to holding and securing the perimeter lines. Increasing moisture will bring a chance of thunderstorms. The threat of gusty and erratic winds may require an adaptation of tactics to achieve suppression results. Firefighters will continue to build direct and indirect line today in their efforts to reach 100% containment.

Haywire Fire

Crews continued to construct fireline along the northern flank of the fire yesterday and the northeast corner is secured. Fire activity near Stewart Crater has calmed down with the help of suppression activities via helicopter bucket drops and single engine air tanker treatments. Firefighters will continue to build direct and indirect line today in their efforts to reach 100% containment.

Fire details

Pipeline Fire

27% contained
26,473 acres
6 miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz.
Burning in grass, brush and pine

Haywire Fire

11% contained
5,563 acres
7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park, Ariz.
Burning in grass, brush and pine

Total fire resources assigned: Approx. 1,157 personnel: 14 Hotshot crews, 18 hand crews, 68 engines, nine water tenders, 11 dozers and nine helicopters

Information resources