State of Emergency declared as Tinder Fire continues to grow
HAPPY JACK, Ariz. (KSAZ/AP) - A wildfire in Northern Arizona has grown to over 11,000 acres and is still zero percent contained.
The Tinder Fire, near Happy Jack, Ariz. has grown to 11,420 acres and is zero percent contained. The fire is located about 1.5 miles from Blue Ridge Reservoir.
Officials have estimated that the fire about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Flagstaff has burned 30 buildings and threatened about 1,000 homes and other buildings.
Fire management team spokesman Brian Scott says higher humidity and expected cloud cover Tuesday should help nearly 600 personnel assigned to the fire in an area with numerous summer and vacation homes.
Scott says firefighters are trying to keep the fire from burning in one direction toward housing tracts and in another direction so that it doesn't enter a valley where it could burn for a long time.
Gov. Doug Ducey declared a State of Emergency in response to the Tinder Fire on Monday.
In a tweet made on Gov. Ducey's verified Twitter page, Gov. Ducey said public safety is a top priority, and he issued the declaration to ensure that first responders have the necessary resources to protect the communities impacted.
>>VIDEO: 'Tinder Fire' grows to over 8,000 acres
Meanwhile, Coconino County is ordering evacuations for communities near the fire, impacting hundreds of people.
Coconino County is evacuating the communities of Moqui Rachettes, Starlight Pines Rachettes, Clear Creek Pines, Tamerron Pines, Ponderosa Pine, Timber Ridge, and Pine Canyon.
The shelter was originally was at Winslow Junior High School and it's now been moved to Twin Arrows Casino due to heavy, dangerous smoke.
A large animal shelter has been opened on Holbrook Navajo County Fairgrounds.
Also, State Route 87 has been closed at mile post 312. SR 87 southbound is blocked in Winslow.
There are about 500 personnel fighting the fire, including 7 hotshot crews, 3 initial attack crews, engines, dozers, helicopters and overhead.
On Saturday, firefighters were on the ground and held the north end of the fire with assistance from aerial resources. Firefighters also successfully held the fire on the west side, along the 95 road.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation, according to the fire's page on Inciweb.
For information on SR 87 road closures, call 511 or visit http://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT.
Coconino County recommends that all residents sign up for Coconino County's Emergency Alerts.
The Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) also has information related to the Tinder Fire.
Additional resources
Interactive fire map by Inciweb
Gov. Ducey issues Declaration of Emergency
The Associated Press contributed to this report.