Containment continues to grow on northern Arizona wildfires

PHOENIX — The containment of two northern Arizona wildfires continues to grow, aided by rain over the weekend, officials said Monday.

The Pipeline Fire, located six miles north of Flagstaff, was at 50% containment as of Monday morning’s update, up from 40% on Sunday and 27% on Saturday.

The blaze has consumed 26,528 acres, an increase of only 54 acres in the past day, the Coconino National Forest said in a press release.

The Haywire Fire, located north of the Pipeline Fire, has burned 5,575 acres and was 40% contained on Monday, a 20% increase from Sunday, officials said.

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

Fire activity is anticipated to slightly increase over the next few days as fuels begin to dry out after the rain on Saturday, officials said.

There are 954 personnel assigned to the fires, including 11 Hotshot crews, 12 hand crews, 57 engines, four water tenders, 10 dozers and five helicopters.

Most of the evacuations related to the two wildfires have been lifted, and traffic has resumed on 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 Monday, the same as Sunday’s update, according to InciWeb.

The lightning-caused wildfire has consumed 20,360 acres as of Monday, an increase of 2,714 acres from Sunday.

Authorities expect fire activity to increase on Monday with erratic outflow winds, higher temperatures and lower humidity, but storms forecast for this week could produce wetting rains.

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

Evacuations remain in effect for the Kitt Peak Observatory and the community of Pan Tak.

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