DPS and ADOT officials closed US 89 for the second straight day on Monday. (Brandon Neuman/NAZ Today)
TUESDAY’S LATEST UPDATE HERE
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– Despite high winds and grounded air tankers, firefighters were able to gain some containment on the Schultz Fire.
The Schultz Fire has been holding at 10,000 acres for most of the afternoon, and containment is now at 10 percent. Windy conditions and low visibility, along with the amount of fire traffic driving in the area, prompted officials to ask DPS and ADOT to close US 89 for the duration of the day following intermittent closures throughout the morning and early afternoon.
The fire is human caused, likely from an abandoned campfire. In a meeting with evacuated residents Monday night at Coconino High School, Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil asked for the public’s help in locating anyone who may have been camping or in the area when the fire started. The Sheriff’s Office and Forest Service are advising people with information to call the Coconino National Forest’s Supervisor’s Office with their tips at 928-527-3600.
New fire restrictions will go into effect at 8 am Wednesday morning in the Coconino, Prescott, and Kaibab National Forests. Campfires, charcoal, and coal or wood stoves will be restricted to developed campgrounds only, and smoking will only be allowed inside of inclosed vehicles and buildings, along with inside of developed campgrounds. However, the Forest Service says that pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters meeting safety specifications will continue to be allowed in these area.
Incident Commander Dugger Hughes told residents during the meeting that they will have to deal with smoke for the foreseeable future. ”I’m sorry, there’s just nothing I can do about it,” he said to the audience.
800 firefighters are currently battling the fire. 756 buildings have been evacuated. Overnight, crews will conduct burnouts and reinforce dozer lines on the south side of the fire.
Evacuees continue to be housed at the Mount Elden Middle School evacuation shelter.
Your coverage of the Schultz Fire has been superb! Thanks for being an excellent source of information throughout this event.