More containment reached in Arizona wildfires following weekend storms

PHOENIX — Following the first weekend of monsoon storms in Arizona, fire crews worked to reach more containment of wildfires burning across the state Sunday morning.

In northern Arizona, containment of the Pipeline fire located six miles north of Flagstaff reached 40%, up from 27% on Saturday, with the blaze consuming 26,476 acres, according to Inciweb.

The Haywire Fire located north of the Pipeline Fire has burned 5,563 acres and was 20% contained on Sunday, a 9% increase from Friday, officials said.

The two wildfires have been burning through grass, rush and pine trees near where the Tunnel Fire consumed approximately 19,000 acres in the spring.

Due to recent precipitation, cloud cover and high relative humidity, authorities expect the spread of fires to be minimized by the end of the day, with chances for increased fire activity going up Monday and Tuesday.

Most of the evacuations related to the two wildfires were lifted, and traffic has resumed on the U.S. Highway 89 after closures earlier in the week. Most of Coconino National Forest north of Interstate 40 remains closed.

The Contreras Fire in southern Arizona was 40% contained on Sunday after officials said it was at no containment the previous day. The lightning-caused wildfire has consumed 17,646 acres.

Authorities said thunderstorms impacted the fire area, but there were no wetting rains. Chances increase throughout the week for more possible thunderstorms, bringing another chance for active fire.

One residential building, a dormitory and two outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire.

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