wildfire

Since the fire started the challenge of strong winds has hampered firefighting efforts. Fire remains active in the Slate Creek drainage and the lower Crooks Creek drainage. Firefighters were able to control the spot that was an issue just west of Mount Tritle and continue to monitor the area for any activity. Fire in the southwest portion will have fuels transitioning to smaller and lighter brush which can assist with slowing the spread of the fire.

Containment on the Tunnel Fire increased to 43% on Wednesday evening due to firefighters' continued hard work to mop up and secure the fire’s perimeter in the Sunset Crater National Monument and Black Mountain areas. Critical fire weather caused increased fire behavior with pockets of smoke within the fire's interior, but was not a threat to the perimeter. Suppression repair work occurred along Forest Road 545 and in Sunset Crater National Park.

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.

As wildfires affect communities in our state, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is working closely with emergency management agencies and when needed, is prepared to take power lines out of service to protect the public and first responders.

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.

At approximately 10:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2022, resources from Prescott National Forest responded to a reported wildfire south of Prescott near Mt Union.  The fire is burning through brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer.  Local resources including aircraft have been working throughout the day in rugged terrain identifying hazards and scouting control feature as the begin to suppress the fire.  Resources including crews, engines and aircraft are on scene and have been ordered.  Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Chino Valley, Mayer, and Prescott Valley.

The Cochrane Fire, located 4.5 miles east of Doney Park (35°17'00.8"N 111°25'12.0"W), is fully contained at 52 acres.
 
There are roughly 25 personnel on scene, including two engines and a dozer.
 
The cause is under investigation.
 
The fire was called in at 4:11 p.m. Saturday by a member of the public and is fully contained as of 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Firefighters continue to make progress on the 7-acre Yankee Doodle Fire which is 90% contained.  The Yankee Doodle Fire was reported on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, on the Bradshaw Ranger District.  The fire is approximately 12 miles south of Prescott near Palace Station (T12N, R1W, Sec 18).  Today firefighters will continue to secure and mop-up the perimeter of the fire and monitor as interior fuels continue to burn.  The fire poses no threat to life or property. 

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to burn debris piles near the community of Walker, Ponderosa Park/White Spar and Copper Basin.  Ignitions are planned to start on Tuesday, December 7 through Monday, December 13, 2021 as favorable weather conditions allow.  Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light in the surrounding areas. Pile burning helps to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface and increases ecosystem and community resilience.

Starting the week of November 15, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management begins ignitions to 400 acres of the Flagstaff Wildland Urban Interface Observatory Blocks Prescribed Burn.

The Flagstaff WUI Observatory Rx Burn is part of a larger scale, 750-acre project, approximately six miles west of Flagstaff, southwest of Observatory Mesa, and south of Interstate 40. The projected, multi-day burn begins Monday afternoon and is weather dependent.