In a statement Thursday night, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said deputies have conducted preliminary evaluations of the burn area. Current evacuation orders remain in place until further notice. County officials have deemed it unsafe to allow residents back into the evacuated area at this time.
Sure enough — Arizona’s wildfire season is off to a fast, dangerous start in the form of the 20,000-acre Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff and the 2,000-acre Crooks Fire near Prescott.
Fire crews will battle high winds today as they continue to make progress on the Tunnel Fire burning northeast of Flagstaff. The National Weather Service is calling for gusts in excess of 60 mph at times.