Smoke from the Hardy Fire billows above the trees behind the Little America Truck Stop on Butler Avenue, 3 pm Saturday. (NAZ Today/Silke Hassreiter)
8:30 P.M. Update: The Flagstaff Fire Department has lifted all evacuations associated with the Hardy Fire. 282 acres with 35-40 percent containment. Full containment is expected Tuesday evening.
5:30 P.M. Update: The Hardy Wildfire is now at 30 percent containment. Visible smoke is minimal.
1 P.M Updates: Fire size, pet evacuations, evacuations and closures,
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– The Hardy Fire “laid down” for the evening and allowed fire officials to get a better look at what Flagstaff firefighters were dealing with.
According to officials, the size of the fire is actually 350 acres, which is smaller than the low-end number of 400 acres that officials were estimating at sundown last night.
All evacuation orders are still in effect, including the standby orders for the Foxglenn, Continental, and Amberwood neighborhoods. Evacuees are to report to Mount Elden Middle School. Pets and other animals need to be taken to the Second Chance Center for Animals, which can be contacted at (928) 526-5964.
So far, approximately 12-15 people have opted to stay at the Mount Elden Middle School shelter. All evacuations are expected to be held in place throughout the day.
Some areas near the fire remain closed, including Foxglenn Park and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System between the park and the waste-water treatment center.
In a release from the Eagle Rock Fire, Coconino National Forest Public Information Officer Brienne Magee says that 75 firefighters from that fire were sent to Flagstaff to help with the Hardy Fire yesterday, including two Type-1 helicopters, three hot shot crews, and three wildland engines. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Gerry Blair says that 150 total personnel were working the fire as of 11:30 pm Saturday. The US Forest Service and the Flagstaff, Highlands, and Summit fire departments are all working on the fire.
Officials are urging motorists who do not need to use Butler Avenue to stay off of it so that fire traffic can easily move in and out of the area.
Residents living in areas of high smoke are advised by officials to review health information regarding smoke inhalation at the Coconino County Health Department’s website.
Stick with NAZ Today.com for the latest on the Hardy Fire.
What provisions are being made for evacuees with pets? Are the shelters accepting pets, or are they being left behind as helpless players of a lottery in which they may be burned to death? I now Second Chance Center has taken in the Coconino Humane animals, but is there room for all the animal family members of those evacuated from the fire zone??
All pets from evacuation zones are being directed to the Second Chance Center for Animals for sheltering, and this includes personal/family pets. You can call them at (928) 526-5964.
-Kyle Anderson, NAZ Today Web Manager
There is another fire on mt.Elden today. Does anyone know anything?
Patrick:
Nice job on getting this story up in a timely manner!
Nancy…the pets are being left in the homes to roast. This is a good thing though. It means that after the fire is put out I can go through the charred homes and get all the slow roasted meat and make a great stew. you should try it. I put lots of veggies in and I make sure to use the bones as well…that marrow makes everything so darn yummers!