Coconino

Coconino National Forest resources are responding to the two-acre Antelope Fire, located eight miles north of Sunset Crater near Highway 89 (GPS coordinates 35°28'54.0"N 111°33'21.0"W).

Effective Thursday, May 5 the following agencies will implement campfire and smoking restrictions:  

Beginning Thursday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m., Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the Williams and Tusayan Districts (aka “South Zone”) of the Kaibab National Forest and the entirety of the Coconino National Forest.  

Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.

Beginning 8 a.m.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the neighborhoods along Highway 89 north of Campbell Avenue will be downgraded from “SET” to “READY” status. This includes the neighborhoods of Timberline, Fernwood, Lenox Park, Girls Ranch Road, Wupatki Estates, Antelope Hills, and the residences east/northeast of Moon Crater in Alpine Ranchos.

Containment of the Tunnel Fire increased to 20 percent on Monday evening as firefighters continued to secure the fire’s perimeter and remove any heat near the control lines. Fire crews remain engaged around the entire fire perimeter. On the south and southwest portions of the fire, crews patrolled the areas that have been determined to be contained and began returning equipment no longer needed on the fireline so that it can be refurbished and available for future use.

A Tunnel Fire Community Meeting will be held 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E. Butler Avenue, Flagstaff (parking information below).

This meeting is to provide an update regarding the fire conditions, potential flood risk, and evacuation status.

Representatives from the County, Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Weather Service, and Tunnel Fire Type 1 Incident Management Team will provide information on these topics and be available to answer questions. American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the meeting.

On April 22, 2022 in the early morning hours a spot fire started in the Timberline Community west of Hwy 89 in the “GO” evacuation area. Deputies and Officers working overnight security in the evacuated areas recontacted the residents who refused to initially evacuate on Tuesday to notify them of the increased danger and remind them of the “GO” evacuation order. This fire was in the area of Wupatki Trails, Lenox Park, Pumpkin Patch, and Brandis Trail neighborhoods.

Residences, buildings, and watersheds that drain near them are currently the main emphasis for firefighters battling the now 20,511-acre Tunnel Fire 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff.  

The Tunnel Fire, located north of Flagstaff along Highway 89 (35°18'14.4"N 111°35'20.4"W) is at 100-plus acres and 0 percent containment.