The 89 Mesa Fire was reported at around noon Thursday. (Photo: Chad Black/APSN.us)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– 8 PM MST– Firefighters are trying to get a handle on a 550+ acre wildfire burning nine miles northeast of Flagstaff.
Fire crews responded to a reported 25-acre wildfire fueled by high winds at around noon Thursday. The Coconino National Forest requested a Type-1 firefighting helicopter upon arrival to help with fighting the fire. As of 1 pm, the 89 Mesa Fire had grown to about 100 acres, fueled by 30-35 mile per hour sustained winds.
By 3 pm, winds helped a spot fire start on the east side of US 89, but fire crews were able to put that fire out after it burned around 30 acres. The fire had grown to 150 acres by this point, and a Type-2 incident management team was requested to help manage the fire.
The 89 Mesa Fire is burning 7 miles north of Flagstaff. (Photo: Chad Black/APSN)
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for winds and dangerous fire conditions that was in effect until 7 pm. Wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour were anticipated throughout the day and into the evening hours.
Coconino National Forest and Summit Fire Department crews are on scene fighting the blaze. Two hot shot crews and over 150 firefighters were working on the fire by nightfall, according various reports from crews in the field.
DPS officers turn around motorists on US 89. The highway was closed for some time Thursday afternoon due to fire burning on both sides of the road. (Photo: Chad Black/APSN.us)
By 5 pm, the 89 Mesa Fire had grown to 300 acres. Firefighters still had not established any containment on the wildfire. Coconino National Forest Spokesperson Brady Smith described the fire as a “wind-driven surface fire.”
Currently, the fire is listed at 550 acres. Forest Service Spokesperson Brienne Magee says that the fire has slowed down tonight as winds have subsided. The fire is 0% contained, and a Type-2 incident management team will take over managing the fire at 6 am.
A USFS dozer moving into action on FR 420. (Courtesy: Brienne Magee/USFS Coconino National Forest)
US 89 reopened shortly after 6pm, but is restricted to one lane in each direction. Magee says that the fire is human caused, but the details are under investigation.
Summit Fire Department firefighters are standing by in the Wupatki Estates neighborhood in case homes become endangered again as the fire grows. Power lines in the area are also threatened. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.
Stay with NAZToday.com for the latest on this developing wildfire.
