Tinder Fire Scorches Over 11K Acres; 0 Percent Contained

PAYSON, AZ – Firefighters are still trying to contain the massive Tinder Fire that so far has scorched more than 11,000 acres and at least 20 homes. The fire in Coconino County, which officials said was started by an illegal campfire, was 0 percent contained, officials said on Tuesday evening.

More than 600 people have been evacuated from more than 1,000 homes in nearby communities as a result of the fire, which ignited Friday, county officials said. About 19 people are refusing to vacate their homes.

So far, everyone had been accounted as of Monday.

The campfire that ignited the raging blaze had been set despite Stage 1 Restrictions having been in place.

"Any time we enter restrictions or have even closed the forest, we still continue to find abandoned or illegal campfires," Forest Service Patrol Captain for Northern Arizona, Andy Peterson, says.

"This shows extreme lack of care for public safety and our natural resources when people would have an illegal campfire, much less abandon an illegal campfire."

(Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe)

The Forest Service is asking anyone who was camping in the area of Forest Road 95 to please call them at 928-527-3511.

At the briefing, officials expressed concern about what the size of the blaze means for the rest of the year.

"I still have to remind myself that we're just at the end of April," and that is certainly a concern of mine," Incident Commander Bea Day said at the community meeting.

"They're saying this fire approaching here is about 4 blocks from us," Joann Erwin, who evacuated from Clear Creek told AZFamily.com.

Erwin is one of around 600 people who have been evacuated from the towns of Blue Ridge Estates, Timber Ridge, Moquis Ranchettes, Starlight Pines, Clear Creek, Ponderossa Pines, and Pine Canyon.

Meanwhile, some full-time residents of the area want the state park to be shut down to campers until conditions get better.

We live here," Joyce Kramer told the Arizona Republic. "This is our home. They get to pack up when the fire hits and we're stuck in the ashes."

Approximately 30 structures have been destroyed by the fire.

The state has set up a website with links to the latest information.

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. Meanwhile, Gov. Ducey declared a state of emergency on Monday, freeing up $200,000 in state funds.

Officials say that the area continues to be 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."

Nearly 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.

Like us on Facebook. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app.

Photos via Superstition Fire & Medical District.