AZ Tinder Wildfire Latest: Ducey Declares Emergency

PAYSON, AZ – A state of emergency is in effect in Coconino County as dozens of firefighters continue to struggle against the Tinder Fire. Gov. Ducey declared the emergency on Monday.

County officials say that more tan 600 people were evacuated from more than 1,000 homes in the surrounding communities as a result of the fire. which has burned more than 8,600 acres since igniting on Friday.

Around 19 people have refused to leave their homes and county officials are keeping in contact with them. No one is unaccounted for, officials said in a Monday evening briefing.

Approximately 30 structures have been destroyed by the fire. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

Officials don't yet have a sense of whether any of the fire has yet been contained. Their work is being hampered by thick smoke and heavy winds. As of Monday morning, the fire was not at all contained.

The Tinder Fire forced residents of several towns around Payson – including Blue Ridge Estates, Timber Ridge, Moquis Ranchettes, Starlight Pines, Clear Creek, Ponderossa Pines, and Pine Canyon– from their homes.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort at 22181 Resort Boulevard in Flagstaff. At least seven people have checked in to the center.

An animal shelter for large and small animals has been set up at Holbrook Navajo County Fairgrounds.

Photo via Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical

Fire officials say that the fire is expected to grow on Monday and reminded people that the fire area is a "No Drone Zone," adding that "if you fly, we can't. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area."

More than 500 personnel – including 12 hotshot crews, three initial attack crews, six helicopters, engines, and four dozers – are on scene.

State Road 87 is closed in both directions from milepost 290 to 312.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.

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Photo and map via US Forest Service. Second and third photos via Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical.