Flames and smoke are visible in Flagstaff from a burnout operation on the western side of the Schultz Fire midday Thursday (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– A controlled burn produced  a large plume of smoke above the western edge of the Schultz Fire today, but the controlled fire helped to contain the main fire.

The fire grew slightly to 14,800 acres, but the big news is that successful burnout operations helped crews increase containment on the fire, to 40 percent.

The smoke from the burnout began rising at about 12 noon today, and the large plume began spreading eastward over Highway 89.

Malis-Clark said that the burnout is working. “It’s going very well,” she said.  ”It’s being done today to help ‘button up’ the fireline before the forecast ‘red flag’ high wind event tomorrow.”

According to the National Weather Service, winds will start out calm in the morning Friday before picking up to sustained south-southwesterly winds of 20-25 mph in the afternoon, with gusts in the 35 mph range. Breezy conditions are expected to continue into the early morning hours Saturday.

Firefighters will work through the night to continue to improve fire lines and mop up along existing lines.

Smoke billowing from a burnout on the western flank of the Schultz Fire (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley addresses the media from the fire media camp (Brandon Neuman/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– Day three of the Schultz Fire was a good one for both residents and firefighters.

Evacuees were allowed to return to their homes at around 8 am this morning.  Despite a few flareups, the fire only grew about 500 acres to 14,500 acres.  The fire is now 25 percent contained.

Firefighters worked hard to save Lockett Meadow today, and dropped ping-pong balls filled with flammable liquid to start a controlled fire designed to burn away fuels ahead of the fire and stop it from spreading into the Inner Basin.

Officials from the Type-1 Incident Command Team would not speculate how large the fire would grow to once the containment line was finished around the northern and western parts of the fire.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley spoke to the media about how the San Francisco Peaks are sacred not only to the Navajo people. “The mountain is sacred to 13 other nations,” Shirley said.  He also mentioned that the Navajo hot shots were quick to respond to the fire. “They were some of the first ones here.”

Shirley spent the afternoon touring the fire area and at the Emergency Operations Center in Flagstaff with local officials.

Below is the video of President Shirley addressing the media:

Fire crews mop up around the perimeter of the Eagle Rock Fire (Courtesy: USFS/Kaibab National Forest)

WILLIAMS (NAZ Today)– Firefighters are close to fully containing the Eagle Rock Fire northeast of Williams.

Officials are expecting to reach 100 percent containment on the fire by Friday.  The fire has burned 3,420 acres near Spring Valley.  Crews will be focusing on mopping up (getting water onto the remaining hot spots) and finishing fire line over the next day or two.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe it was started by a dry lightning strike.

The Kaibab National Forest advises residents that some hazards still exist where the fire has already burned.  Weakened, burned trees can fall if winds gust, and with the Monsoon thunderstorms likely in the next few weeks, flash flooding and soil erosion is possible.

Management of the fire will be transitioned back to local Kaibab National Forest crews from the Northern Arizona Type-2 Incident Management Team.

Bob Urban from the Beaver Valley Fire Department works a hot spot on the line at the Schultz Fire burning north of Flagstaff, Ariz., Tuesday, June 22, 2010. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Jack Kurtz)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — An estimated 1,000 people who were forced to flee their homes because of a forest fire outside Flagstaff were being allowed to return Wednesday morning.

Homeowners and their families began to trickle into the evacuated neighborhoods at 8 a.m. They had left their homes Sunday after the fire erupted just north of the northern Arizona city that is home to 60,000 people.

“We’re very glad,” said resident Lula Whitehair, 49. “When we saw that fire coming, we thought the worst.”

Crews had enough confidence in their fire lines to give the local sheriff the OK to lift the evacuation order, but he warned residents to be prepared to leave again if necessary.

The battle against the 22-square-mile Schultz fire was far from over. At least 10 miles of fire line still needed to be completed, and the blaze was just 20 percent contained. Crews Wednesday planned to secure and widen the line on the southern flank of the fire to keep it from surging back toward the city. Meanwhile, firefighters aided by air tankers and helicopters were trying to stop its growth to the north.

Efforts to fight the blaze will likely continue for at least two weeks, incident commander Dugger Hughes said late Tuesday.

“It’s going to be a long haul,” he said. “But it’s looking good.”

The fire’s southern edge is about five miles from Flagstaff.

Two heavy air tankers helped fight the blaze Tuesday, said fire spokesman Eric Neitzel. The tankers, part of 19 under contract through the U.S. Forest Service to fight fires across the country, are capable of carrying more than 2,000 gallons of fire retardant used to slow the spread of fire. Nearly 1,000 firefighters were battling the blaze.

Authorities said the fire was started by an abandoned campfire, and strong winds quickly fanned the flames. No major injuries have been reported and no structures have burned.

The blaze tore though stands of ponderosa pine that ring the city and rise up the slopes of nearby mountains. Conditions are dry, despite record amounts of snowfall in the area last winter.

Authorities said a campfire also was to blame for a smaller fire in southeast Flagstaff. Campfires will be prohibited in three Arizona forests starting Wednesday.

The southeast Flagstaff fire was 80 percent contained Tuesday afternoon, and a third fire 11 miles northeast of Williams was expected to be fully contained Wednesday.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer toured the fire area Tuesday. Earlier in the day, she spoke with President Barack Obama, who assured her of the federal government’s continued support in firefighting efforts. Two requests from the state for federal fire management assistance funds have been granted.

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Associated Press Writer Felicia Fonseca contributed to this report.

A Type-1 Helicopter heads towards the Schultz Pass Fire (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO UPDATE FROM THE FIRE LINES

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– Another warm and dry was in store for firefighters as they fought the 14,000 acre Schultz Fire north of Flagstaff.

The Schultz Fire is now listed at 20 percent contained.  Firefighters conducted burnouts last night on the south side of the fire, and worked to reinforce fire lines with bulldozers.  Winds have died down, and aerial attack is back underway.

US 89 was reopened this morning, but officials are reminding people that conditions could change in a matter of minutes.

Evacuations remain in place, but evacuated residents might be able to return to their homes as early as Wednesday morning.  Mount Elden Middle School, at Fourth Street and Cedar, is serving as the evacuation center.

As additional information becomes available, NAZ Today.com will bring you the latest.

Smoke from a hot spot rises as the fire begins to reach the main burning period for the day, mid- to late-afternoon, as seen from downtown Flagstaff at noon Tuesday. (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

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.

WILLIAMS (NAZ Today)– Firefighters are continuing to make progress on the Eagle Rock Fire 11 miles northeast of Williams.

Fire officials are expecting to have the fire contained by 12 am Wednesday morning. It has burned 3,420 acres, and is not expected to grow. The fire is smoldering and smoking according to a release from Fire Information Officer Brienne Magee.

664 firefighters are on scene, although 170 firefighters have been released to the Schultz Fire north of Flagstaff.

Click map to enlarge. Courtesy: Inciweb.com/Kaibab National Forest

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.

Firefighters confer on the front line of the Eagle Rock Fire Thursday afternoon (Chad Black/APSN.us)

WILLIAMS (NAZ Today, 12:00 PM)– Thanks to some major progress overnight, most evacuees have been allowed to return to their homes in the Spring Valley area.

Firefighters made significant progress putting out hot spots and strengthening fire line last night, according to Public Information Officer Brienne Magee in a media release.

3,415 acres have burned so far, and fire crews are still listing containment at 30 percent.  Today’s weather will be similar to Thursday’s, with temperatures hovering near 80 degrees with low humidity and breezy southwesterly winds.  The Kaibab National Forest says that firefighters will be focusing on the southwest flank of the fire, which is in difficult terrain.

County Road 141 remains closed between mile 8 and mile 10. Some homeowners will have to wait to return to their homes until crews mop up in certain areas, according to Magee.  Forest Service officials say that residents returning home should use SR 64 or Spring Valley Road.  Power has been restored to most of the homes.  Firefighters are still providing structure protection in Spring Valley as a precaution.

A public meeting will be held tonight at the Maine Consolidated School in Parks starting at 6 pm.  Incident Commander John Philbin will be at the meeting to answer questions.

Stick with NAZ Today.com for the latest on the Eagle Rock Fire.

Thursday’s Recap HERE

Photo of the fire's plume late Wednesday afternoon taken from a Forest Service road north of the fire (Photo: Mike Gillespie/Summit Fire Dept)

FRIDAY’S LATEST UPDATES

WILLIAMS (NAZ Today, 7:30 PM)– Afternoon breezes and dry conditions have allowed the Eagle Rock Fire to more than triple in size this afternoon.

Crews made progress Thursday battling the 3,415-acre Eagle Rock Fire near Spring Valley, despite experiencing less-than-ideal firefighting conditions. Breezes continued into the evening hours, but crews were still able to gain 30 percent containment on the fire.

Overnight burnout operations and better aerial mapping have also contributed to the latest size estimate.  Firefighters experienced some high winds Thursday, although they were much less than 55 mph gusts seen on Wednesday.  Thursday’s winds averaged in the 10-20 mph range, with gusts to 25 mph.  Warm temperatures and low humidity (11%) helped the fire burn actively throughout the day.

A firefighting helicopter dips its "Bambi Bucket" into a lake (Photo: Chad Black/APSN.us)

John Philbin’s Northern Arizona Type-2 Incident Management Team took over control of the fire this morning at 6 am. By nightfall, the number of firefighters on scene increased from 250 to 316.  Resources include two air tankers, three helicopters, four hotshot crews, a 20-person hand crew, 16 fire engines, and several pieces of heavy equipment.

Helicopters and air tankers were able to fight the fire because winds were lighter Thursday.  The high winds Wednesday grounded all air tanker efforts.

The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time.  The Kaibab National Forest lists the fire’s growth potential at high.  Fire crews will conduct additional burnout operations overnight to continue to slow the progress of the fire by control burning some of the fuels ahead of the main fire. Crews will also reinforce the established containment lines.

Stay with NAZToday.com for the latest information as it happens.

For Wednesday’s fire activity recap, click here.

Thick smoke from the Eagle Rock Fire rises above the pine trees near Spring Valley (Photo: Chad Black/APSN.us)