Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We at KNAU know that northern Arizona wildfire information is crucial to our listeners. This page is our comprehensive source for information about the 2014 wildfire season. Here you will find all the latest updates from area fire agencies and national forests as well as wildfire-oriented stories.For breaking news tips, call the KNAU newsroom at (928) 523-4912 or e-mail ryan.heinsius@nau.edu.

A Pair of Wildfires on the Coconino Keeps Forest Officials Alert

By Jon Tepley, Flagstaff Ranger District. Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest

This past weekend, two wildfires ignited near Flagstaff. As Arizona Public Radio’s Ryan Heinsius reports, though crews responded quickly, both fires are burning in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

The six-acre Secret Fire started about 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff in a remote area of the Coconino National Forest. It’s now almost completely contained. The Boulder Fire is burning on Mt. Elden. It’s been slow to spread, but fighting the fire has been difficult on the steep, rocky terrain.

Credit By Jon Tepley, Flagstaff Ranger District. Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest
The Mesa Hotshots from the Tonto National Forest mop up a stump hole on the Boulder Fire.

Last weekend, high winds allowed both fires to advance despite somewhat moist conditions in area forests. According to Don Muise, fire and aviation staff officer on the Coconino National Forest, each spring creates challenges for fire officials.

“Access has been a little restricted because you couldn’t drive a lot of the roads. Now that we opened up the gates, people are getting rid of this cabin fever and getting out and enjoying the forest … With the increase of folks being out then there there’s always that increase of risk,” Muise says.

He says both the Secret and Boulder fires were most likely human caused, but that they remain under investigation. Sixteen personnel are on scene at the Boulder Fire including members of the Mesa Hotshots from the Tonto National Forest. No structures are threatened by the fire.

Muise is hopeful that the potential of rain later this week could lessen wildfire danger in the national forests. He also says discussions regarding a campfire and smoking ban are ongoing among Coconino National Forest officials, but no plans have yet been made.

Ryan Heinsius was named interim news director and managing editor in January 2024. He joined KNAU's newsroom as an executive producer in 2013. He covers a broad range of stories from local, state and tribal politics to education, economy, energy and public lands issues, and frequently interviews internationally known and regional musicians. Ryan is an Edward R. Murrow Award winner and a Public Media Journalists Association Award winner, and a frequent contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and national newscast.
Related Content