Fueled by gusty winds through drought-stricken remote terrain, wildfires burning north of Flagstaff, Arizona, erupted on Monday, with workers estimating more than 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) blackened by Tuesday morning.
Fire crews battling the fire are facing harsh conditions that have led to extreme fire behavior and sent huge jets of smoke swirling across the sky.
“Because of the strong winds, no aircraft could fly safely,” said Aaron Grazer, commander of the incident, speaking at a news briefing Monday night. “We do not expect air assets to be successful, there are always people on earth, nonetheless. However, this can certainly buy us some tactical and operational advantage when we have it. “
By Tuesday, the winds had calmed and the planes were back in motion, giving hope that progress could be made on the fire while conditions were more favorable.
But the biggest fire, known as the pipeline fire that broke out on Sunday, and two smaller fires that started nearby on Monday and then merged are still in 0% control. Grazer said evacuation and protection of the structure were top priorities for the roughly 600 firefighters on the scene. About 2,500 homes were evacuated and two buildings burned, the Koconino County Sheriff’s Office said.
“On a day like today, with the winds that do what they do, with the fuel conditions we have,” Grazer said, “a value of 1 at risk is the public we serve.”
The fire also spread to the Coconino Peaks desert and tribal lands and cultural sites in the north, Grazer said.
The townspeople stared at the mountains as the smoke swirled in the air and blew winds, some frightened, some nervous, most hoping the humidity in the forecast later this week would bring some relief.
The pipeline fire is pushing the Coconino Peaks desert and tribal lands and sites north. Photo: Rob Schumacher / Republic / Reuters
“We are definitely dry,” Flagstaff resident Colin Chalifur said late Monday. “The forests are dry. This is a pity. You don’t like to see him. “
Strong winds also blew smoke into the sky, creating unhealthy air quality in the region, even reaching Colorado and other surrounding areas. “While winds will be weaker today than yesterday, gusts of southwest winds are still expected, which will continue to lead to proactive fire behavior and increased smoke production,” Arizona’s Environmental Quality Department said. an update on Tuesday morning, warning residents to stay inside, close windows and use air filtration systems if possible.
The climate crisis has laid the groundwork for increasing the intensity of forest fires, delivering hotter temperatures that burn moisture from parched landscapes. Forest fires broke out early this spring in many states in the western United States, where the climate crisis and prolonged drought are increasing the frequency and intensity of forest and pasture fires.
Views from O’Leary’s 360 Overwatch webcam tonight at 8:28 p.m. give us an idea of how far this fire has spread … from the top to the valley below. The views we are used to will be black in the morning. That is why we observe the bans on burning! #PipelineFire #azwx pic.twitter.com/YRhcKbajpM
– NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) June 14, 2022
The number of square miles burned so far this year is more than twice the national average for 10 years, and states like New Mexico have already set records with devastating fires that destroyed hundreds of homes while causing the expected environmental damage. to affect the water supply.
Nationally, more than 6,200 wildfire firefighters are battling nearly three dozen wildfires that have charred more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares), according to the National Interdepartmental Fire Center.
Even in Alaska, forecasters warn that many fires in the south of the state have escalated over the past week, which is unusual. Southwest Alaska usually experiences shorter periods of high fire risk, as intermittent rains can provide relief, but since mid-May the region has been hot and windy, drying out vegetation.
Favorable weather on Monday helped slow the development of a forest fire in the tundra about three miles (4.8km) from the village of Yupik. The moderate temperatures and the change in the wind that brought the fire to St Mary’s will allow firefighters to directly attack the flames and increase community protection.
In California, evacuations have been ordered to about 300 remote homes near a wildfire that erupted over the weekend in forest land northeast of Los Angeles near Pacific Crest in the San Gabriel Mountains. It burned about 990 acres (400 hectares) of pine trees and dry bushes as of Monday and has been controlled by 27%, said fire spokeswoman Dana Dirkes.
A second fire in Tehama County in Northern California destroyed 10 buildings, damaged four others and threatened about 160 structures, fire officials said. As of Tuesday afternoon, it was 30%.
A spring fire outside Flagstaff, called a tunnel fire, destroyed more than two dozen homes before it was contained earlier this month. Many residents who evacuated afterwards were forced to flee their homes a second time without being given enough time to re-establish themselves before a new fire broke out.
The causes of the recent fires in California are being investigated.
Lightning is believed to be in one of the fires in northern Arizona, but authorities still do not know what caused the larger forest fire.
With almost no rain last month, Arizona marked one of the driest Mayans in history, according to the U.S. Department of Water Resources. High fire risks are expected to continue until the southwestern monsoon, which typically rains in the late summer months, offers a reprieve. Until then, residents remain vigilant while employees work to control the flames that are currently burning.
“I know the descent from the tunnel fire and its consequences was undesirable,” Grazer said. “However, please rest assured that there are many men and women on guard tonight who will continue to defend this community.
The Associated Press contributed to the reports
Add Comment