On Easter Sunday, a wildfire was reported approximately 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff along U.S. Hwy 89. Named the Tunnel Fire, it remained small through Tuesday morning, but strong winds up to 50 m.p.h. that day caused the fire to explode to 6,000 acres by 5:00 p.m. with 0% containment. Overnight, the fire’s size grew to over 16,000 acres.
Everything is moving so quickly that it is difficult to know the status of what has been affected and how badly, but the Tunnel Fire fire has moved through Sunset Crater and has “affected” 100% of the monument at this time. How much has been burned is unknown, but it is burning on a northeastern trajectory at this point.
Richard Ullmann, the Public Information Officer (PIO), says that the Visitor Center and Housing Area at Sunset Crater were spared.
We will do our best to update the site as we get more news, but in the meantime, follow the links below for more information and maps.
Listening to Owls