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The Pipeline Fire, 6 miles north of Flagstaff, Evacuations issued

Photo: Pipeline Fire

From InciWeb:

6/12/2022, 7:56:48 PM
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Unknown And Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Sunday June 12th, 2022 approx. 10:15 AM
Location: 6 miles north of Flagstaff, just west of Schultz Pass
Incident Commander: Aaron Graeser
Incident Description: The Pipeline Fire 6 miles north of Flagstaff was reported at 10:15 a.m. by a fire lookout. Smoke will be visible from Flagstaft, and the wind is sweeping the smoke through Schultz Pass toward Doney Park. All evacuation information is provided by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management. Please see https://www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management for more information.
Coordinates: 35.282 latitude, -111.681 longitude

Current Situation
Total Personnel: 150
Size: 4,500 Acres
Fuels Involved: Pine, grass and brush. Many handpiles from thinning operations exist in the area.

Exact size of wildfire is currently unknown since it is continually growing. Infrared flyovers help provide a more accurate estimation, which are usually conducted at night.

Approximately 150 personnel on scene involved in suppression efforts.

Current Weather
Critical fire, warm and windy conditions, which are pushing the wildfire toward the east and Schultz Pass.

From the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office:

Due to the Pipeline Fire the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued a “GO” evacuation notification for the neighborhood along Highway 89 North of the Landfill Road to Wupatki Trails on both sides of Highway 89. Doney Park is in the “Set” Status

At 11:00 hours the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fire off Snowbowl Road. Responding deputies were given the description of a white pickup truck leaving the area of the fire. Responding deputies spotted a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.

The driver, a 57-year-old male, was detained until Federal Law Enforcement officers from the United States Forest Service arrived. The male was arrested  and booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility for Federal Natural Resource Violations. Federal regulations prohibit the release of the subject’s name, photo and charges.

At this time, it is unknown how long the “Go” evacuations will remain in place. Coconino County Sheriff’s office remains in constant communication with the United States Forest Service Fire personnel, managing this incident. As soon as it is determined safe to reenter, the Sheriff’s office will release the evacuation order and allow the residents back to their properties. Currently Highway 89 is closed at Campbell and Highway 89 on the South side and Shultz Pass Road and Highway 89 on the North side. A 24-hour security patrol will be conducted n the evacuated areas until re-entry is complete.

It is important that the residents of the evacuated areas know that if they leave their property, they will not be allowed back in under the evacuation order unless escorted.

Currently the Red Cross Shelter is located at:

  • Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff
  • Animal Shelter is set up at Fort Tut-Hill
  • Call Center is at (928)679-8525
  • For special circumstances, escorts to and from properties within the evacuated areas will be available from the East Valley Baptist Church at 10655 N. U.S. 89, Tonight until 9:30pm and beginning again on Monday the 13th at 9:00am.

This matter is under investigation by the United States Forest Service and any questions regarding the investigation should be directed the United States Forest Service.

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