Evacuations ordered as Haywire Fire becomes 2nd wildfire burning near Flagstaff

PHOENIX – Another wildfire has sparked near Flagstaff, authorities said Monday, forcing evacuations around Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said the 1,600-acre Haywire Fire is burning about 4 miles east of the monument in the Coconino National Forest.

The area north and east of the fire, known as Alpine Ranchos, has been ordered to be evacuated, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies will go door to door to notify residents.

The boundaries for the “GO” evacuation are west of Luepp Road, south of the Navajo Reservation boundary, north of Forest Road 244a and east of Sunset Crater Road (aka Forest Road 545).

The Haywire Fire is close to the Pipeline Fire, which began Sunday and had reached 5,000 acres as of early Monday.

Weather is a playing a factor in containing the fire. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for area to go into effect Monday at 11 a.m. Sustained winds of 25-35 mph are expected as are wind gusts of 40-50 mph.

New incident Haywire Fire, about 4 miles east of Sunset Crater Volcano on Coconino National Forest. Estimated 1600 acres, multiple engines responding. Cause unknown at this time.

— Coconino NF (@CoconinoNF) June 13, 2022

Both fires are in the same area as the Tunnel Fire, which tore through just over 19,000 acres in the spring.

Fire officials said 40 personnel and 10 engines were at work on the Haywire blaze.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Shelter has been set up at Sinagua Middle School. An animal evacuation shelter has been set up at the Fort Tuthill County Park.

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