Arizona Tunnel Fire Chars Over 19K Acres of Land; Prompts Evacuation for People, Animals

The Arizona Tunnel Fire, as of Wednesday afternoon, has burned thousands of acres of land, prompting evacuations for people as well as animals in the affected area.

A U.S. clearinghouse for wildfire information, the Arizona Tunnel Fire burned more than 19,700 acres of land after it was reported on Sunday afternoon, per CNN, quoting InciWeb. The said fire is zero percent contained as of writing.

The location of the said fire is about 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff. The area in the burn radius of the Tunnel Fire is filled with dry grass, brush, and Ponderosa Pine, according to CBS News.

The outlet added that the conditions in the area, combined with windy weather, are allowing the wildfire to spread northeast.

"I cannot stress enough how rapidly this fire is moving," Fire Management officer True Brown said.

The U.S. Forest Service reported towering flames up to 100 feet (30 meters), according to a New York Post report.

Coconino National Forest Spokesperson Brady Smith said that about 200 firefighters were working to control the Arizona Tunnel Fire. The post noted that Coconino County declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a red flag warning was canceled in Arizona due to relaxing winds. However, the said warning remains in five neighboring states, including Nebraska and New Mexico, ABC News mentioned.

Arizona Tunnel Fire Evacuations

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said that an estimated 2,608 people are now in the area.

Horsman added that people from 766 households have been evacuated as well as 1,000 animals.

ABC News reported that the Red Cross opened a shelter at a local middle school. Meanwhile, the Fort Tuthill County Stables have been opened for goats, horses, pigs, and chickens that reside in the evacuation zone.

"The Tunnel Fire has been fueled by high winds and dry conditions, and the county has deployed all available resources," Horstman said in a press conference.

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Tuesday, historical-cultural sites, local power, and gas distribution networks are threatened by the Arizona Tunnel Fire. Furthermore, at least 150 businesses are also not safe from the wrath of the blaze.

FEMA also approved the federal funding request that would cover up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs.

How Did the Arizona Tunnel Fire Start?

CBS News noted that the Tunnel Fire was first reported around 4:22 p.m. on Sunday. However, the cause of the said tragedy remains unknown, but officials noted that it is currently under investigation.

ABC News noted that a decades-long megadrought paired with low humidity and high winds have created the flashpoint condition in the area.

Arizona officials urged the public to stay informed on the fire's development on the county's website.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Tunnel Fire forces evacuation of nearly 800 homes -From ABC News