Disaster Flagstaff wildfire forces evacuations, steadily grows

https://archive.ph/wip/GIbWR

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Evacuations are in effect in parts of northern Arizona as a wildfire about 6 miles (9 kilometers) north of Flagstaff steadily grew Sunday, authorities said.

Coconino National Forest officials said the Pipeline Fire was reported at 10:15 a.m. by a fire lookout and had burned approximately 4,000-5,000 acres by late Sunday, pushing about 15 miles (24 kilometers).

In connection with the fire, Forest Service law enforcement said they have arrested and charged a 57-year-old man with natural resource violations. The cause of the wildfire wasn’t immediately known.

Coconino County Sheriff’s officials said the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort and people living in the area of the west Schultz Pass Road must evacuate. People living in Doney Park and the area near Mt. Elden should be prepared.

Euelda King and her family evacuated their home for the second time this year because of wildfires. She hadn’t settled back in from a springtime blaze before leaving again Sunday, this time able to grab photographs and clothing she didn’t get earlier.

“Here we go again,” she said.

The family of 11 is planning to stay at the Navajo Nation casino, which is offering assistance to tribal members who evacuated.

The family was waiting in a parking lot ahead of road closure signs, watching smoke billow through the air and aircraft flying overhead.

“The winds are high, and I think they’re going to have a little bit of a battle with it,” King said.

Wind gusts were sweeping the smoke through Schultz Pass toward Doney Park and authorities said recreationists were being told to leave immediately, especially those in the Schultz Pass area.

The American Red Cross Arizona opened a shelter at Sinagua Middle School for residents who evacuated.

“With this thing going as fast as it is, it could get much closer, of course hoping it doesn’t,” King said.

Authorities said 13 engines, nine crews, six prevention patrol units, three bulldozers and one water tender were involved in the fighting the fire. An Incident Management Team is scheduled to arrive Monday.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has closed U.S. Route 89. The department said in a Twitter post that there is no estimated time to reopen the road.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Good news, a second fire started this morning and it will probably merge with the first by tonight. Also, they didn't mention route 89 is closed because the fire burned across it along a 2-3 mile stretch.

 

[The Final Troondown]

Allah's aim must be off today, he's missed california by miles

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

A California Incident Management Team showed up. Can't wait to see how they fuck it up.

Pipeline Fire Wildfire
News – 23 hrs. ago
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 13, 2022 – Strong winds continue to move the Pipeline Fire toward the northeast, as two additional wildfires the Haywire Fire and Double Fire are reported about 6 miles further ahead.
The exact size the the Pipeline Fire is unknown due to the inability for an overnight infrared flight. However, fire managers estimate the fire to be about 5,000 acres currently. Firefighters are working to suppress and keep fire from entering areas near communities, while deflecting the fire along the San Francisco Peaks toward the northeast as it enters some of the 2010 Schultz Fire and recent Tunnel Fire burn scars.
Strong winds coupled with warm weather have been the challeging factor for firefighters and air resources, as winds are predicted to be 40-50 mph today. The Coconino NF remains in Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions. Information regarding fire restrictions can be found online at coconinonationalforest.us
PIPELINE FIRE

• Incident information site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8152/
• Size: Estimated at 5,000 acres
• Containment: 0%
• Location: 6 miles north of Flagstaff (35.281667, -111.681389)
• Date reported: June 12, 2022 at 10:15 a.m.
• Cause: Unknown and under investigation
• Current resources: 11 engines, three water tenders, three Hotshot crews, one hand crew, four dozers, various aerial resources and miscellaneous overhead.
• Closures: The Coconino National Forest has closed nearly the entire northern portion of the forest from Interstate 40 toward the north. View the Closure Order and map here.
• Smoke impacts: Smoke will impact areas of Doney Park and homesteads northeast of Doney Park, including Navajo Nation.
• Evacuations: Coconino County Sheriff's Office is the authorizing and approving agency for evacuation notices, which works with Coconino County Emergency Management to post information about evacuations and which areas are in Ready, Set, or Go status. To view these areas, visit the County's Emergency Management page.
• Injuries: None.

HAYWIRE FIRE

• Incident information site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8155/
• Size: Estimated at 1,600 acres; Will likely combine with Double Fire.
• Containment: 0%
• Location: 7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park (35.371667, -111.433372)
• Date reported: June 12, 2022 at 4:13 p.m.
• Cause: Unknown and under investigation but suspected as originating from a lightning strike from a storm days prior.
• Current resources: 10 engines. Multiple dozers have been ordered.
• Closures: The Coconino National Forest has closed nearly the entire northern portion of the forest from Interstate 40 toward the north. View the Closure Order and map here. Additionally, Arizona Department of Transportation has closed a portion of Highway 89, which restricts vehicles from traveling north and south in the area of the fire. Check www.az511.comfor status updates.
• Smoke impacts: Smoke will impact homesteads northeast of the fire, including Navajo Nation.
• Evacuations: Coconino County Sheriff's Office is the authorizing and approving agency for evacuation notices, which works with Coconino County Emergency Management to post information about evacuations and which areas are in Ready, Set, or Go status. To view these areas, visit the County's Emergency Management page.
• Injuries: None.

DOUBLE FIRE

• Incident information site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8155/
• Size: Estimated at 500 acres
• Containment: 0%
• Location: 2 miles south/southwest of the origin of the Haywire Fire (35.345842, -111.451177)
• Date reported: June 12, 2022 at 4:13 p.m.
• Cause: Unknown and under investigation but suspected as originating from a lightning strike from a storm days prior.
• Current resources: Part of the Haywire Fire resources responding.
• Closures: The Coconino National Forest has closed nearly the entire northern portion of the forest from Interstate 40 toward the north. View the Closure Order and map here. Additionally, Arizona Department of Transportation has closed a portion of Highway 89, which restricts vehicles from traveling north and south in the area of the fire. Check www.az511.com for status updates.
• Smoke impacts: Smoke will impact homesteads northeast of the fire, including Navajo Nation.
• Evacuations: Coconino County Sheriff's Office is the authorizing and approving agency for evacuation notices, which works with Coconino County Emergency Management to post information about evacuations and which areas are in Ready, Set, or Go status. To view these areas, visit the County's Emergency Management page.
• Injuries: None.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Cal-can't-fight-Fires Incident Management Team made it 2 days before being replaced. They should have sent a Type 1 team to begin with, but I refuse to miss a chance to make fun of Cal-Fire and California in general.

Pipeline Fire at 22,888 acres, 31% containment | Haywire Fire at 5,065 acres, 0% containment

Fires to transition to Type 1 team tomorrow

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 15, 2022 – The Type 1 Great Basin Incident Management Team (IMT) 2 has arrived at the Pipeline and Haywire fires, and is shadowing the Type 2 California Interagency IMT 15. The Type 1 team will assume command of the incident 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Pipeline Fire is currently 22,888 acres with 31% containment and the Haywire Fire is estimated at 5,065 acres with no containment.

While critical fire weather continues due to dry conditions and high temperatures, lower wind speeds allowed aerial operations to resume and continue throughout the day.

In addition to using water and retardant dropping aircraft, crews will continue to look for opportunities to directly engage the fire with the intent to suppress the fire’s edge and to keep the fire from entering communities as it continues to move in a northeast direction. Crews continue to use the 2010 Schultz Fire and recent Tunnel Fire footprints to their advantage.

Current resources on the Pipeline Fire include 561 personnel composed of 12 Hotshot crews and 7 hand crews, 54 engines, 9 water tenders and two dozers.



Current resources on the Haywire Fire include 57 personnel composed of one hand crew, 6 engines, two water tenders and two dozers.



There are roughly 670 personnel working both fires and in a support role at the Incident Command Post. Aerial resources include 8 helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft working on both fires.

The Coconino National Forest remains in Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions. Information regarding fire restrictions can be found online at coconinonationalforest.us

PIPELINE FIRE

• Incident information site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8152/
• Size: 22,888 acres.
• Containment: 31%
• Location: 6 miles north of Flagstaff (35.281667, -111.681389)
• Date reported: June 12, 2022 at 10:15 a.m.
• Cause: Unknown and under investigation
• Current resources: 54 engines, 12 Hotshot crews, seven hand crews, nine water tenders, nine dozers, and various aerial resources and miscellaneous overhead.
• Closures: The Coconino NF has closed nearly the entire northern portion of the forest from Interstate 40 toward the north. View the Closure Order and map here. Additionally, Arizona Department of Transportation has closed a portion of Highway 89, which restricts vehicles from traveling north and south in the area of the fire. Check www.az511.com for status updates.
• Smoke impacts: Smoke will impact areas of Doney Park and homesteads northeast of Doney Park, including Navajo Nation.
• Evacuations: Coconino County Sheriff's Office is the authorizing and approving agency for evacuation notices, which works with Coconino County Emergency Management to post information about evacuations and which areas are in Ready, Set, or Go status. To view these areas, visit the County's Emergency Management page.
• Injuries: None.

HAYWIRE FIRE

The Haywire and Double fires have merged and are now being managed solely as the Haywire Fire.

• Incident information site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8155/
• Size: 5,065 acres.
• Containment: 0%
• Location: 7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park (35.371667, -111.433372)
• Date reported: June 13, 2022 at 4:13 a.m.
• Cause: Unknown and under investigation but suspected as originating from a lightning strike from a storm days prior.
• Current resources: 6 engines, one hand crew, two water tenders, two dozers, and various aerial resources and miscellaneous overhead.
• Closures: The Coconino NF has closed nearly the entire northern portion of the forest from Interstate 40 toward the north. View the Closure Order and map here
• Smoke impacts: Smoke will impact homesteads northeast of the fire, including Navajo Nation.
• Evacuations: Coconino County Sheriff's Office is the authorizing and approving agency for evacuation notices, which works with Coconino County Emergency Management to post information about evacuations and which areas are in Ready, Set, or Go status. To view these areas, visit the County's Emergency Management page.
• Injuries: None.

 

[PFM]

The wind hasn't let up for months it feels like. This isn't good.

 

[MadStan]

Why didn't someone rake the leaves up.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Pipeline Fire

27% contained

24,815 acres

6 miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz.

Burning in grass, brush and pine

Haywire Fire

11% contained

5,372 acres

7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park, Ariz.

Burning in grass, brush and pine

Evacuations, Road and Trail Closures and Restrictions


Fire Behavior
Fire activity is expected to increase today with forecasted warm, dry and breezy conditions. Constructed firelines held with little growth on the Pipeline and Haywire fires. Hot dry weather continues to contribute to the critically dry fuels. Winds will carry smoke to the northwest during the morning shifting to the northeast impacting homesteads north and east of Flagstaff including the Navajo Nation.

Pipeline Fire
Crews continued to construct fireline along the western flank of the fire yesterday and through the night. Increasing containment along the Highway 89 corridor, assisted by helicopters and fixed wing aircraft during the day. Burning operations on the northeast edge of the fire helped reduce available fuels. 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 southern flank of the fire yesterday and through the night increasing containment along the Highway 89 corridor. Burning operations on the east edge of the fire helped reduce available fuels. Firefighters will continue to build direct and indirect line today in their efforts to reach 100% containment.

Why didn't someone rake the leaves up.

Real men fight fires with backpack blowers.

 

[Slappy McGherkin]

It's been 1000 year old mummy bones dry out here. I can't even remember the last time it rained. The winds have been wicked, especially along the Colorado River Valley and Northern AZ. There is slight chance of a thunderstorm this weekend, but often the dry lightning just sets more acres ablaze.

Our only real hope is for a wet monsoon season, but not counting on that. Yeah, it's a dry heat.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Firefighters aren't loosing ground on these fires, but they aren't gaining either. Same containment numbers from yesterday with 1,500 acres and 75 acres gained respectively. They did contain the flank fire that was headed towards the built-up area along US 89.

June 17, 2022

Pipeline Fire
27% contained
26,297 acres
6 miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz.
Burning in grass, brush and pine

Haywire Fire
11% contained
5,449 acres
7.5 miles northeast of Doney Park, Ariz.
Burning in grass, brush and pine

Fire behavior
Fire activity is expected to increase today with forecasted warm, dry, increasingly windy conditions throughout the day. Constructed firelines held with little growth on the Pipeline and Haywire fires. Hot dry weather continues to contribute to the critically dry fuels. The night will bring a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m. with the potential for strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning and heavy rain.

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

The 1 to 2 tenths of precipitation Saturday and resulting bump in relative humidity Sunday morning seems to have helped a lot. Containment numbers for both fires have doubled with little fire growth. The command team have pulled all fixed wing and half the rotary-wing assets off the fire.

Pipeline Fire
50% Contained
26,528 acres

Recent precipitation and fire suppression actions including improving and strengthening uncontained fireline, detecting and extinguishing hotspots and diligent monitoring have helped firefighters gain further containment on the northern edge of the fire. Due to the recent advance in containment, efforts will be transitioning to suppression repair activities, and firefighters are removing unneeded equipment from the containment lines. While containment continues to increase, fire managers are confident in the status of containment and will start to release firefighter and aviation assets today to “right size” assigned resources. On the western perimeter of the fire’s edge near Fremont Peak to Lockett Meadow Spring, firefighting efforts have been difficult due to steep terrain. Firefighters are using natural barriers where possible, to keep the fire from moving west toward the Snowbowl Basin Road area and monitoring activity to respond as necessary. Moving from the powerline corridor southwest, some fire activity was observed yesterday, and firefighters will continue to monitor as it slowly creeps toward the Tunnel Fire burn scar. Crews that had previously been scheduled to perform drainage repair for the Tunnel Fire prior to the start of the Pipeline and Haywire fires are now able to resume scheduled work that is necessary to mitigate erosion and flooding impacts during monsoon rains.

Haywire Fire·
40% contained
5,575 acres

Today, crews will continue to hold, monitor and patrol containment line looking for hotspots to extinguish on the northern edge of the fire. Crews will also continue to patrol the Highway 89 corridor for hotspots and will take action as necessary. Crews will continue working toward gaining further containment, and securing the fire’s edge by improving existing fireline, monitoring for hotspots, and addressing any areas of concern on the east, south and western perimeters.