FLAGSTAFF — On April 22, 2022 in the early morning hours a spot fire started in the Timberline Community west of Hwy 89 in the “GO” evacuation area.
Deputies and Officers working overnight security in the evacuated areas recontacted the residents who refused to initially evacuate on Tuesday to notify them of the increased danger and remind them of the “GO” evacuation order. This fire was in the area of Wupatki Trails, Lenox Park, Pumpkin Patch, and Brandis Trail neighborhoods. Deputies and Officers went door to door and used sirens and loudspeakers in an attempt to wake residents to warn them of the fire threat.
In addition, during the evening hours of the 21st, Deputies made two arrests in the “GO” evacuation area. One subject was contacted in a UTV vehicle as he was attempting to access the closed area in Timberline. After Deputies found that he was impaired, he was arrested for DUI. The other subject ran a roadblock and fled into the closure area. When he fled, he almost struck public works employees manning the roadblocks as well as a Deputy who was attempting to contact him. He was apprehended and charged with Aggravated assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Violating the Fire Ban, Endangerment, and Felony Flight.
We ask that residents please be patient a little longer as fire suppression efforts continue. The fire is still in an unpredictable and uncontrolled state, as evident by the fire activity during the evening hours last night. Deputy escorts will continue as needed into the closure area as long as it is safe and there are resources to do so. Please bring identification and information to show where you live within the closure area. This opportunity is currently available at the East Valley Baptist Church located just south of the Road closure at 10655 North Highway 89, Flagstaff AZ, 86004.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the residents for their patience during this trying time and want them to know we are doing as much as possible to get everyone back into their homes as soon as it is safe to return.
The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank our Law Enforcement partners in assisting us to maintain security in the “GO” evacuation area as well as providing escorts. These include the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagstaff Police Department, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. We have also had significant support and assistance from the Coconino County Public Works Department. These partners, along with our dedicated C.E.R.T., Search and Rescue, and Patrol Volunteers have made it possible to maintain our high standard of Service to the Community during this incident.
For an interactive evacuation and fire map, along with other up to date Tunnel Fire and Evacuation information visit www.coconino.az.gov/2894/Tunnel-Fire.