Pipeline and Haywire fires: minimal fire activity expected, anticipated thunderstorm activity

6/21/2022 - 9:49 am

Fire behavior

A low-pressure system out of the west to southwest today will bring a slight chance of thunderstorms to the fire area. More thunderstorm activity is anticipated for the next few days with a chance of rain and lessened winds.

Due to the drying trend the last few days, scattered heat and smoke are still present within the fire perimeter as interior pockets continue to burn unconsumed fuels; however, anticipated moisture will bring an increase in cloud cover and lower temperatures with minimal fire activity expected.

Pipeline Fire

As containment continues to increase, firefighters will be shifting focus to suppression repair, and minimizing potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. These activities will help aid in mitigating impacts to predicted incoming precipitation.

In containment areas, suppression repair will take place to repair constructed dozer lines, as well as roads and trails that were used as fireline. These activities are occurring at the southern edge of the fire near the Timberline community and the northern edge that runs from the Strawberry Crater area toward the powerline corridor, where heavy equipment is being used.

On the southwest edge from Fremont Peak running north toward the Inner Basin Trailhead, crews are monitoring fire progression and will engage as necessary.

Some heat and smoke are still occurring within the fire perimeter and firefighter and aviation resources continue to assess and take action to extinguish when necessary and where possible. Yesterday, crews took advantage of the conditions and performed tactical firing operations in the northeast edge to tie the fire’s edge into the Tunnel Fire burn scar to secure the outer edge of the fire. An initial attack group is still ready to quickly respond to any spotting over the line or new starts caused by the incoming thunderstorms.

Haywire Fire

Yesterday, minimal heat was detected across the fire. Favorable conditions led to the gain of additional containment in the northwestern perimeter of the fire. Today, crews will continue to monitor and patrol containment lines.

Firefighters continue to secure the southern edge of the fire and extinguish hotspots within the interior. They will also patrol and monitor for areas that could potentially cause a threat to established fireline.

Evacuations, road and trail closures, and restrictions

Highway 89 is now open. An area closure is in place on the Coconino National Forest for the Pipeline Fire. For full descriptions of road closures and fire restrictions go to: fs.usda.gov/coconino/. Evacuations also are still in effect around the fire area. Evacuation information can be found at bit.ly/Pipeline-Haywire-Evacs.

Total fire resources assigned

About 823 personnel, including: 11 Hotshot crews, 13 hand crews, 52 engines, six water tenders, four dozers and five helicopters

Fire Information

Fire Details

Pipeline Fire

  • 60% contained
  • 26,532 acres
  • 6 miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz.
  • Burning in grass, brush and pine

Haywire Fire

  • 45% contained
  • 5,575 acres
  • 7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park, Ariz.
  • Burning in grass, brush and pine

Keywords: 
Haywire, Pipeline, Flagstaff, smoke, fire, evacuation, Coconino County, Highway 89
Source: 
Coconino County