I-17

Firefighters have worked hard and long hours in triple degree heat getting the Bumble Bee Fire to a high level of containment, reducing the threat to area communities by Saturday. Resources from the fire have also responded to new fires in the area supporting the initial attack, including the Canyon Fire that started Saturday on the east side of Interstate-17, and the Hackberry Fire which threatened the Spring Ridge Academy in the community of Spring Valley/Mayer north of the fire area on Sunday.  

Unseasonably hot and dry conditions continue to keep Arizona firefighters busy. The Bumble Bee Fire burning west of Interstate 17(I-17), started Friday morning in the eastern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains north of Phoenix and quickly grew to over 2,000 acres threatening the community of Bumble Bee to its east and putting the communities of Cleator and Crown King to its northwest on alert. Firefighters on the ground were assisted by airtankers and helicopters consistently throughout the day.

Cause of fire determined as piece of faulty catalytic converter

Coconino National Forest firefighters continue to suppress the Pig Fire approximately 5 miles south/southeast of Village of Oak Creek off the east side of northbound Interstate 17.

The fire does not pose any risk to structures, homes or communities. Burnout operations yesterday and into the night helped secure the I-17 corridor and other lines around the upper section of Forest Road 689, bringing the fire to 480 acres as of this morning.

Coconino National Forest firefighters responded to a wildfire yesterday evening located approximately 5 miles south/southeast of Village of Oak Creek off the east side of northbound Interstate 17.

If needed for safety, parts of I-40, I-17, other routes will close until snow abates

With a major winter storm forecast to create “very difficult to impossible” driving conditions in the high country from late Thursday until Friday morning, the Arizona Department of Transportation will close affected highways for safety until snowfall abates and roadways are safe for travel.

Drivers should expect potentially hazardous driving conditions in higher elevations of northern Arizona as a late-season winter storm is expected to bring rain and snow to parts of the state through Thursday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Fire managers will be conducting prescribed burns near Flagstaff this week, beginning today, in strategic areas to help reduce the risk of severe wildfires around communities and important infrastructure.

Today (Nov. 13)

With another snowstorm forecast Tuesday afternoon in Arizona’s high country, keep in mind that the safest option while snow falls is delaying travel until Arizona Department of Transportation snowplows have had time to clear state highways.

A highway can close suddenly due to crashes and fast-accumulating snow. During recent snowstorms, northbound Interstate 17 climbing out of the Verde Valley toward Flagstaff and a steep section of eastbound Interstate 40 at Ash Fork Hill, just west of Williams, have closed temporarily as conditions deteriorated.

Verde Ranger District fire managers plan to continue fuels treatments east of the junction of Highway 169 and I-17 starting Tuesday, January 30^th  through Friday, February 2^nd; weather conditions permitting.    Benefits from these treatment help to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to the wildland urban interface and increase ecosystem and community resilience.