The Tunnel Fire northeast of Flagstaff is now 20% contained after burning more than 19,000 acres and destroying at least 30 homes. Fire managers adjusted the acreage size on Tuesday morning.
At a community meeting Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff, residents demanded answers from forest managers about why the Tunnel Fire wasn’t suppressed completely last Sunday when it was first called in and why the fire wasn’t monitored overnight, especially with strong winds in the forecast. The Coconino County Sheriff was hopeful evacuees could return home Sunday.
Snow and rain showers Friday morning helped douse dry grasses and kept them from igniting more easily, but precipitation levels weren’t high enough to impact extreme hotspots on the Tunnel Fire. Forest managers say it is now 21,000 acres and 3% contained.
Forest managers on the Tunnel Fire burning near Flagstaff say winds are expected to shift Saturday and Sunday, coming from the north and northeast. Firefighters are positioned to respond, according to this morning’s update from the Coconino National Forest. The nearly 22,000 acre fire is currently 3% contained.
Forest Service officials say the Tunnel Fire burning north of Flagstaff has scorched nearly 20,000 acres and remains 0% contained. County officials have scheduled a public meeting this evening at 5:30 at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E. Butler Ave, in Flagstaff.